Mouthguards that send head impact data live to the sidelines set for PRO14 debut
Sport’s search for better protection from concussions will take a step forward on Saturday when Ospreys and Cardiff Blues players become the first to compete while wearing mouthguards that send head impact data to the sidelines.
The instrumented mouthguards are made by Hemel Hempstead-based OPRO, the world’s leading provider of advanced gum shields, and they contain a tiny electronic chip that measures impacts and sends the data, in real time, to a receiving station that can be plugged into a team doctor’s laptop.
The ‘PROTECHT’ chips are designed by Swansea’s Sports and Wellbeing Analytics and assembled in South Wales, which means this significant advance in player welfare is entirely made in Britain.
Instrumented mouthguards have been used by athletes in contact and combat sports for several years but, until now, their data could only be downloaded after the bout, match or training session – OPRO’s new mouthguards are the first to give medical staff an instant picture.
OPRO’s founder Dr Anthony Lovat explained that the chip only adds about a millimetre of thickness to the side of the mouthguard and players have experienced no problems with them.
We are extremely honoured and proud to announce that we have been presented with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2019.
Want to see what all the fuss is about? CLICK HERE: https://t.co/7YNRhtHeiX pic.twitter.com/c7FhpUqYAj
— OPRO (@OPROGroup) April 23, 2019
The potential benefits for rugby union, and other contact sports, are obvious, with recent surveys suggesting the vast majority of players suffer a concussion at some point in their careers.
This is complicated by the issue of sub-concussive hits, impacts below the concussion threshold that still damage the brain, and the fact that many concussion cases go undiagnosed because only one in 20 players actually lose consciousness after the impact.
Dr Lovat stressed that the mouthguards will not solve these problems on their own, far from it, but they can be another tool in the medical team’s kit.
“We’re being very careful to say that interpretation of the data is still key and that will depend on experts on the sidelines,” he said.
? #GUINNESSPRO14 Preview @cardiff_blues v @ospreys
?? Who's playing
? Who's in form
? Where to watch
?? Click here ?https://t.co/I1Z7uNPk06— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) April 26, 2019
“But we believe this technology will give them raw, physical data on potential head injuries, when they need it, and we think that could be a hugely valuable tool.”
The chips, which have linear and rotational accelerators to measure the impact and a transmitter to send the data via text message, have rechargeable batteries that last more than four hours – more than enough for the longest training session, too.
Dr Lovat, an entrepreneurial dentist, set up OPRO 21 years ago after seeing his daughter’s team-mate lose a tooth in a lacrosse match because she was wearing her uncomfortable gumshield in her sock, not her mouth.
Since then, the company has become a global leader in its field, supplying the England and New Zealand rugby union teams, 11 of 12 Premiership sides, UFC and Great Britain’s Olympic hockey and taekwondo teams.
“We have already had huge interest from a wide range of sports in the new mouthguards, so it’s possible that international rugby sides, boxers, mixed martial arts fighters, hockey players, you name it, will be wearing these clever devices soon,” he said.
“OPRO takes no credit for the chips, that is all down to SWA who came to us a couple of years ago with the idea, but we have worked on this together and everything about this is British, which I think is something worth celebrating.”
– Press Association
WATCH: THE RugbyPass series – Beyond 80 – takes an unflinching look at the reality of concussion in rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments