Mouthguards and concussion in rider's back in the spotlight

There has been recent research and development on the impact of mouthguards in a number of different sports

- LUCY ELDER

MOUTHGUARDS, and how they might help in preventing concussion, are back in the spotlight, after research and developments in other sports.

A Canadian youth icehockey study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2023, found those wearing mouthguards had a 28% lower concussion rate and 57% lower odds of concussion than non-wearers.

World Rugby is now recommending all players wear mouthguards, following these findings. It has also integrated smart mouthguard technology into head-injury assessments, so pitch-side experts can monitor impact data collected by sensors inside gumshields.

In February, George Turner was the first player to be removed from a game after his mouthguard sensor reported an impact that could have caused a concussion during a Six Nations match. He returned to play after assessment.

British Team Chasing (BTC) is “strongly” recommending all riders wear mouthguards.