Study links long careers in collision sports to heightened brain injury risk and legal debate

Research shows that the total length of a player's career, not just professional years or concussion count, raises the chance of brain damage, sparking calls for consent forms in elite contact sports.

Neurophysiologist Alan Pearce and colleagues published a study indicating that the overall duration of participation in high-collision sports, rather than professional tenure or concussion tally, correlates with increased brain injury among retired athletes. The research, involving 113 former Australian rules, rugby league and union players, highlighted the cumulative effect of sub-concussive impacts over decades of play.

The issue gained public attention after Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij signed a “Voluntary Assumption of Risk” waiver, which the club did not submit to the AFL, prompting debate over informed consent in professional sport. Legal counsel for a class action led by former Geelong player Max Rooke, now joined by roughly 120 ex-players, alleges the AFL and clubs breached their duty of care regarding concussion protocols.

While some experts propose mandatory consent forms to ensure athletes understand the risks, others argue that responsibility for safety should remain with the league and clubs, not be transferred to players. The AFL has indicated it may limit contact training in the coming year, following recommendations from the Victorian State Coroner’s inquiry into former player Shane Tuck’s death.