Rugby players face higher dementia risk - study

Tracy Withers

New Zealand’s top male rugby players are more likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s than the general population, new research has found - adding to mounting evidence that collision sports carry lasting risks for brain health.

The study, published in Sports Medicine, tracked more than 12,800 men who played provincial or international rugby between 1950 and 2000. Researchers compared their health outcomes with those of men of similar age, ethnicity, and birthplace in the wider population.

They found that 6.5% of rugby players developed a neurodegenerative condition, compared with 5.2% of the general population - representing about a 22% higher rate. The increased risk became evident from the age of 70 and was greater among those with longer careers and higher levels of play.

“High-level rugby participation among males in New Zealand is associated with a small-to-moderate increase in neurodegenerative disease rates compared to the general population,” the researchers concluded.

The findings echo results from studies in soccer and American football, which have shown elevated risks of dementia and other brain disorders among former professionals. Autopsies have also revealed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a progressive brain disease linked to repeated head trauma - in athletes across multiple codes.

Just last month, former Australian Football League player Adam Hunter was posthumously diagnosed with CTE following his death at 43. In rugby, former All Black Carl Hayman, now 45, has early-onset dementia and is among a group of ex-players suing World Rugby for failing to protect them from head injuries.

In the US, the National Football League in 2013 agreed to a $765 million settlement with thousands of former players who alleged the league concealed the long-term risks of concussion.

The New Zealand study is the largest of its kind in the country. It relied on medical and death records to identify cases of neurodegenerative disease. While it provides strong evidence of an association, the researchers cautioned that other factors - such as the specific nature of contact events - may also contribute.

They also noted limits to the findings: the analysis did not cover women, amateur players, or those who played after 2000, when rugby underwent major professionalization and saw new rules aimed at reducing head injuries.

The project was supported by World Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation - a fact that may raise questions about independence, though the authors stressed the integrity of the research process.

New Zealand Rugby said the study adds to the evidence base guiding reforms to improve player safety. Since 2000, it has introduced stricter tackle laws, new return-to-play protocols, and enhanced medical checks to address concussion risks.

“While we can’t change the past, we acknowledge the impact rugby has had on some players and their whānau,” said NZ Rugby Chief Executive Officer Mark Robinson, using the Māori word for families. “Their experiences matter deeply and they continue to guide the work we’re doing to improve player welfare and drive meaningful change across the game.”  |  Bloomberg