Sensors, mouthguards, special materials: Sports organize fight against concussions

The sports world is intensifying its efforts to combat concussions, recognizing the injury as a major challenge across both professional and amateur levels. Innovations in protective gear and technology are emerging as key strategies in this fight.

Start-ups, including those from EPFL, and established brands like Salomon, have presented cutting-edge developments at a recent public conference. These innovations focus on advanced sensors, specialized mouthguards, and novel materials designed to improve concussion prevention. The goal is to provide athletes with better protection against the functional disturbances of the brain that concussions cause.

While historically associated with high-impact sports like American football, the concern over concussions has broadened significantly. Disciplines such as hockey, skiing, and rugby are now actively engaged in raising awareness and implementing preventative measures. The conference, held during the 31st annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science at the Vaudoise Arena, aimed to educate the public and showcase these technological advancements in safeguarding athletes' health.