Concussion technology to debut in the Aviva Premiership this season
Friday 2 September 2016 16:47, UK
The Aviva Premiership is set to become the first Rugby league in the world to trial pitch-side concussion technology.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will utilise the myplayXplay system across all 135 Aviva Premiership fixtures, which will allow game footage to be monitored by medical staff, so suspicious head injuries can be referred to the team doctor for review.
Concussion is the most common injury in England's professional rugby union, and the RFU is hoping to replicate the technology implemented at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which identified 50% of concussion cases by real-time video review.
"We have made huge progress on concussion management in the last few years but we know we have to continue to innovate and develop our systems as player welfare is our No 1 priority," said Corin Palmer, head of rugby operations at Premiership Rugby.
"The myplayXplay system is ground-breaking and allows our clubs' medical staff to review and analyse injuries on an iPad moments after they occur; this addition to the sideline toolkit improves their ability to diagnose injuries correctly during a match."
Ivan Reel, CTO of myplayXplay added: "Combining the world of sports with the newest technology of streaming video to mobile iPad devices is a great combination. We stylised our innovative iOS APP for Premiership Rugby and they will benefit from being able to capture, record and take advantage of video live for the purposes of player welfare.
The RFU is also working to improve the recognition of concussed players, and in particular, the value of using an eye-scanning device on those who have been affected with a head injury.
An incident involving Wales' George North flagged up rugby union's problem with concussion, as after suffering four blows to the head in a five-month period, he was ruled out for several months - on the recommendation of a neurosurgeon.
