Tackling Concussion in Impact Sports with PROTECHT
Sports & Wellbeing Analytics (SWA), supported by Keytree and Swansea University, have designed and built an award-winning head impact management and monitoring system, PROTECHT, to better understand and prevent issues relating to concussion in impact sports. Currently in use at Ospreys Rugby and Cardiff Blues, the ground-breaking technology utilises sensors in a mouthguard to display data resulting from head impacts. This is presented in real-time, via a web application designed specifically for the project. The app translates and displays the data of each sub-concussive and concussive impact, providing instant visibility to the pitch-side medical team.
PROTECHT is a world-first in professional sport and exemplifies the innovative use of technology in a non-traditional field to create meaningful outcomes. It clearly demonstrates how technology has a unique ability to change not only the shape of an industry for the better but improve people’s lives – a key motivation for all involved.
The Rugby Football Union calculated that there were 21.5 concussions per 1,000 player hours in the English Premiership last season – one concussion in every six games. Concussion across all impact sports is increasingly recognised as having serious immediate and long-term medical ramifications for players. PROTECHT is already a market leader in tackling these issues and has the ability to extend the careers of sportsmen and women who play high impact sports and just as importantly protect their quality of life on retirement.