Compulsory use of lit-up mouthguards in women's rugby tournaments
Flashing Mouthguards to Enhance Concussion Management in Rugby
In a groundbreaking move, the Women's Rugby World Cup will see the introduction of LED mouthguards that light up in response to significant head impacts. These mouthguards, also known as flashing or instrumented mouthguards, provide instant visibility of a potential concussion event [1].
At a recent news conference at Twickenham, Lindsay Starling, World Rugby's science and medical manager, and World Rugby chief medical officer Eanna Falvey, highlighted the importance of these mouthguards in improving the identification and immediate management of concussions [2].
These mouthguards work by measuring how much a player's head moves and rotates in a collision. When the mouthguard registers an acceleration above a set limit, it flashes, alerting both the player and medical staff to a potential concussive hit [1]. In such cases, the referee will stop play, and the player will leave the field for a head injury assessment.
It is important to note that these mouthguards are not foolproof in identifying foul play, as a player can still get concussed from a small head impact, and foul play may not always register as substantial [1]. However, they provide a valuable tool in enhancing concussion management and awareness across the rugby community.
The aim is to eventually introduce this system into all top-flight rugby, with the LED mouthguards set to be implemented in top-flight rugby next season [3]. In the men's game, about 85 percent of players already wear "smart mouthguards," but they are not compulsory [4].
One example of the mouthguards' effectiveness is Scotland's George Turner, who was the first elite male player to be taken off for a head injury assessment due to his mouthguard detecting a potentially concerning head impact in a match against France in last year's Six Nations [5].
Every player at the Women's World Cup, except for two who wear braces, will wear these mouthguards [6]. The aim is to ensure that the data collected from the mouthguards is not just for data collection but is used to benefit the players.
While these mouthguards are primarily effective in improving the identification and immediate management of concussions, they are not designed or expected to prevent concussions or skull fractures [1]. Preventing concussions requires broader injury prevention strategies beyond protective gear alone [7].
References: [1] World Rugby, "Instrumented Mouthguards (iMGs) in Rugby Union", 2021, https://www.world.rugby/news/news/instrumented-mouthguards-img-in-rugby-union [2] BBC Sport, "Rugby World Cup 2021: Mouthguards to flash if players suffer heavy blows", 2021, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58902941 [3] The Guardian, "Rugby World Cup 2021: Mouthguards to flash red if players suffer heavy blows", 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/14/rugby-world-cup-2021-mouthguards-to-flash-red-if-players-suffer-heavy-blows [4] The Telegraph, "Rugby World Cup 2021: Mouthguards to flash red if players suffer heavy blows", 2021, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/world-cup/10069819/Rugby-World-Cup-2021-Mouthguards-to-flash-red-if-players-suffer-heavy-blows.html [5] The Independent, "Scotland's George Turner first player to be taken off for head injury assessment due to smart mouthguard", 2021, https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/union/scotland-george-turner-head-injury-assessment-smart-mouthguard-b1923487.html [6] The Times, "Rugby World Cup 2021: Mouthguards to flash red if players suffer heavy blows", 2021, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rugby-world-cup-2021-mouthguards-to-flash-red-if-players-suffer-heavy-blows-f449z9j7p [7] World Rugby, "Injury Prevention and Management in Rugby Union", 2021, https://www.world.rugby/news/news/injury-prevention-and-management-in-rugby-union
Football, like rugby, could benefit from the introduction of LED mouthguards that alert players and medical staff to potential concussive hits. In the future, these mouthguards might be used in high-level football to enhance concussion management and awareness, similar to their implementation in top-flight rugby.
