Is there a link between rugby and MND?

[Mrs. Taff]

Lynne11013 hmmm 🤔 makes you wonder doesn’t it?
I’m really sorry to hear this 😞

[Mrs. Taff]

I’ve never played rugby but was always sporty… mainly running, from sprinting to half marathons, and doing daft obstacle runs like ‘Tough Guy’. I did play hockey and football (very badly) in the Army in my 20s and 30s. I’ve also had several concussions and a fractured skull over the years 🤔

Interestingly, in the US, research has found links between military service and ALS. I’m not sure of the reliability and validity of the research, but the VA grants monthly payments to veterans with ALS as it’s considered ‘service related’. I wonder what the percentages are in the UK 🤔

[ShiftKicker]

I didn't play rugby, but played another full contact sport- plus football and field hockey (with multiple concussions and exposure to herbicides used on the pitch as a result). I have a feeling that some folk are more genetically predisposed to develop MND than others, and that contact sport sets them on the path to disease expression.

[Piglet]

My husband ( who has MND ) played rugby for years well into his twenties. He played prop.!! Xx

[Ian C]

As an ex-amateur rugby player of 20 years now with MND I reckon so.

Though I thankfully seem to be the only one from my club

[shelly21]

Ellie you're right. sorry.

[Arcadian]

There's a caution on the MNDA Research Twitter that the sample size is small, as well as a familial overlap within rugby community (compared to some other sports).

I don't watch much TV, but when I'm down south every 5 or 6 weeks in a hotel, there has been a BBC breakfast news programme featuring MND most times over the last 14 months, as well as the regional area segment (BBC South West) particularly featuring MND rugby players too.

If nothing else, thank you to the sportsmen and their colleagues supporting them regarding highlighting this issue around greater public awareness and with fundraising.

I've never been great at sport, but I used to do 200+ miles a week cycling for several years from late teens to 30 something, as well as being very physically active with work and hobbies - so I follow the wider debate around perceived 'athletic' activity history risk, as well as being mindful that I havent been engaged in contact sport with head injuries risk (although other occupational and leisure / accidental neck risks).

[Zante]

Rob Burrows documentary it says is on the October 18th. Xx

[Ellie]

The rob burrows documentary is on bbc2 tonight at 9pm

🤔 Tonight’s documentary is listed as Steve Thompson, Head On: Rugby, Dementia and Me.

[Patw]

going to be an emotional watch shelly21

[shelly21]

I believe head trauma is up there with top 5 causes.

[shelly21]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11254387/BBC-Two-documentary-follows-Rob-Burrow-battles-MND.html

[shelly21]

The rob burrows documentary is on bbc2 tonight at 9pm

[JamesW]

See related posts on this subject by JamesW and me on the Early Bird Club thread.
Must admit most of the folks here don't strike me as enthusiastic Rugby players

Lol 😂

Although in fairness I played a lot of rugby in my younger days…. I was a forward as well 😊

[WheelsOfSteel]

See related posts on this subject by JamesW and me on the Early Bird Club thread.
Must admit most of the folks here don't strike me as enthusiastic Rugby players