The government has announced the launch of an enquiry into the long-term effects of head injuries in sport and will discuss the latest scientific studies with governing bodies and athletes starting next week.
The Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee (DCMS) will examine links between concussion and dementia and efforts to improve player welfare in professional sports, with the first session taking place on March 9.
The committee will also take evidence on the implications for youth sport and funding requirements for further scientific research.
“We will look particularly at what role national governing bodies should be taking and their responsibilities to understand risks involved for players and what actions might be taken to mitigate them,” Julian Knight, chair of the DCMS committee, said in a statement.
“We’re seeing a number of cases involving brain injury in sport likely to reach the doors of our law courts and we will also look at the implications for sport in the longer term of any successful legal claim.”
