World Cup of Rugby 2025: Luminous Mouthguard, Innovative Device aimed at concussion prevention
In the world of contact sports, a new technology is making waves – Bluetooth-connected mouthguards. Introduced by World Rugby, these innovative devices are designed to enhance player safety, particularly in preventing concussions.
The Bluetooth-connected mouthguards made their debut before the 2021 Rugby World Cup, marking a significant step towards a safer playing environment. Initially, these mouthguards did not have flashing red LEDs, a feature that was added later.
During the World Cup, if a player's LED lights up, signifying a potential significant head impact, they must be immediately examined by a doctor. However, it's important to note that these mouthguards were not initially used to stop games, although the referee is obliged to halt the match if the game is interrupted for a player's examination.
Connected mouthguards are more established as tools for monitoring head impacts rather than outright preventing concussions. By alerting medical staff to potentially dangerous impacts, they help improve player safety protocols.
While women's rugby concussion research is growing, specific data on connected mouthguards' effectiveness in this group is sparse. Studies often generalize findings from men's rugby or other contact sports. Initial trials and pilot programs since 2023 suggest that teams using connected mouthguards can better identify impacts that might lead to concussion, potentially reducing the risk of returning players to the field too soon.
To conclusively measure effectiveness in concussion prevention, long-term, large-scale studies differentiating between mouthguard types (standard vs. connected) and controlling for playing conditions are necessary. As of now, there is limited publicly available, peer-reviewed research specifically evaluating the effectiveness of connected mouthguards in preventing concussions in women's rugby since their introduction in 2023.
The 2021 Rugby World Cup for women's teams will take place in England from August 22 to September 7, with all players wearing connected mouthguards. This tournament marks a significant step forward in the adoption of this technology in women's rugby.
The Bluetooth-connected mouthguards were a precursor to the LED-equipped mouthguards used in the 2021 Rugby World Cup. The international rugby body introduced Bluetooth-connected mouthguards without lights during the 2023 Women's XVs International Invitational.
Concussions are a well-known ailment in rugby and other contact sports, making the development and implementation of such technology crucial in ensuring a safer playing environment for all athletes. As research continues and technology evolves, we can look forward to a future where sports-related injuries are minimised, and players can focus on their performance without the fear of serious injury.
In the realm of health-and-wellness for athletes, Bluetooth-connected mouthguards have been revolutionizing contact sports, starting with football and rugby, as a means to enhance player safety and potentially minimize concussions. These technologies are being extensively studied in the field of science, particularly in women's sports, to evaluate their effectiveness in concussion prevention. As a result, leagues like rugby are gradually incorporating these innovations into their playing environment, fostering a safer, more performance-focused landscape.
