AI could revolutionise concussion care in sport – but risks remain
AI could revolutionise concussion care in sport – but risks remain
https://theconversation.com/ai-could-revolutionise-concussion-care-in-sport-but-risks-remain-281171
Publish Date: 2026-06-08 06:31:00
Source Domain: theconversation.com
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping medicine, from diagnosing disease to accelerating drug discovery. Its influence is also reaching the world of sport.
In a recent editorial, we looked at how AI could transform how researchers, doctors and sporting organisations detect, monitor and manage concussion, which is one of the most challenging health issues facing contact sports today.
Concussion is a form of brain injury caused by a sudden bump, blow, or violent shake to the head. It is difficult to diagnose as it rarely looks the same twice. Some athletes feel sick and dizzy; others do not. Some lose consciousness, yet around 90% do not.
Many of the sports we play and watch carry a significant risk of head impact and brain injury. Such injuries might occur from a single heavy impact: a mistimed tackle, a punch, a fall. Others add up over many years of frequent knocks, leaving athletes at an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Our own research has shown how even repeated impacts that don’t cause concussion in rugby, football and boxing can quietly damage the brain’s blood supply and function over time.
How does this help athletes?
The more precisely we can pinpoint which parts of the brain have been affected by an impact, the better we can tailor an athlete’s recovery. Rather than applying a one size fits all checklist for returning to play, doctors and sports staff can instead use data-backed insights to personalise rehabilitation plans. In doing so, they should track not just the player’s physical recovery, but also their psychological readiness to return to action.
AI could also help with one of the thorniest issues in concussion management: the pressure placed on athletes to return too soon by clubs, coaches and themselves. An independent AI model, drawing on a range of data from brain scans and blood tests to surveys of an athlete’s mood, could provide medical staff with a…
