Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy - An Immediate Retirement

1 hour ago, RugbyLeagueGeek said:

I admit I haven't read the study, but I wonder if there was an element of selection bias with the research - i.e. possibly the people who would want to donate their brains for research are perhaps people who have concerns about their brain health? It's no small deal donating a brain for research!

The authors acknowledge that as a potential limitation of the study but point out the prevalence of CTE observed is in line with other studies involving different contact sports. The main finding is the risk of developing CTE appears to be directly related to playing period and not to the 'level' played.

CET being raised at the start of the season.

Aus Institute of Sport has conducted its own study which concludes with recommendations in excess to current NRL protocols.

The NRL here are being criticised for not reviewing the recommendations and commenting on the report and outlining if their own investigations will be made or if they will or will not be proceeding with the recommendations.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-04/concussion-rears-its-ugly-head-again-but-are-the-codes-ready/103542426

17 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

CET being raised at the start of the season.

Aus Institute of Sport has conducted its own study which concludes with recommendations in excess to current NRL protocols.

The NRL here are being criticised for not reviewing the recommendations and commenting on the report and outlining if their own investigations will be made or if they will or will not be proceeding with the recommendations.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-04/concussion-rears-its-ugly-head-again-but-are-the-codes-ready/103542426

Its interesting becuase you cannot just ignore the science especially if the recommendations are in excess of what you have as that will leave you open to future law suits etc.. they will need to do their own studies that are peer reviewed etc that show that what they are doing is enough.. 

someone in the scientific community is going to make a fortune out of all the research that is going to be needed over the next 10 years or so to either prove or disprove or just go around in circles.

7 minutes ago, RP London said:

Its interesting becuase you cannot just ignore the science especially if the recommendations are in excess of what you have as that will leave you open to future law suits etc.. they will need to do their own studies that are peer reviewed etc that show that what they are doing is enough.. 

someone in the scientific community is going to make a fortune out of all the research that is going to be needed over the next 10 years or so to either prove or disprove or just go around in circles.

I am no surgeon, but what I haven’t heard of is a study into the potential onset of CET on the general public.

Now it may be so that in the short media articles I read about this subject, there is no discussion of the validation that CET is not just a random disease that comes with the onset of old age, it may well be assumed the reader will just take that for granted. However, I think it is important that we understand what the increased odds of getting CET are if you play various football codes. This can only happen with an unbiased review, similar to what was mentioned in the article that the majority of players currently donating their brain for study are the ones who suspect a problem, which may result in a bias.

Furthermore, I still haven’t seen any statistics which demonstrate tackled players are more in danger of concussion than tacklers. Not that the new article I shared discusses suggestions of tackle heights.

On 04/03/2024 at 11:49, Sports Prophet said:

I am no surgeon, but what I haven’t heard of is a study into the potential onset of CET on the general public.

Now it may be so that in the short media articles I read about this subject, there is no discussion of the validation that CET is not just a random disease that comes with the onset of old age, it may well be assumed the reader will just take that for granted. However, I think it is important that we understand what the increased odds of getting CET are if you play various football codes. This can only happen with an unbiased review, similar to what was mentioned in the article that the majority of players currently donating their brain for study are the ones who suspect a problem, which may result in a bias.

totally agree with you on this. I haven't seen much around how prevalent it is in the general society or a study around those that do have it and what they have done (not just contact sport) in the rest of their lives etc. Only going by what I have read it does not appear to be a comment form of "dementia" (I dont know where it fits on that type of scale) outside of having some brain trauma but to be honest its more a case of "reading between the lines" rather than the fact I have seen that written anywhere. 

On 04/03/2024 at 11:41, RP London said:

Its interesting becuase you cannot just ignore the science especially if the recommendations are in excess of what you have as that will leave you open to future law suits etc.. they will need to do their own studies that are peer reviewed etc that show that what they are doing is enough.. 

someone in the scientific community is going to make a fortune out of all the research that is going to be needed over the next 10 years or so to either prove or disprove or just go around in circles.

And there's the rub: the players can demand whatever they like but their employers (the clubs and governing body) cannot wash their hands of their H&S responsibilities and have to act on the currently available scientific/medical advice and recommendations

Dale Finucane announces his immediate retirement whilst Wally Lewis calls on national government to fund $18m CTE research.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-23/dale-finucane-retirement-wally-lewis-cte-investment-plea/103758830