"Early Onset Dementia Linked to Physical Sports in Former National Players"

Former professional rugby players Alix Popham and Lenny Woodard, who represented Wales in rugby, were diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in their 40s, likely due to repeated head trauma from playing the sport. They are among more than 450 current and former rugby players suing global governing body World Rugby and national governing bodies for negligence in protecting players from permanent injury caused by concussions. Experts warn that head injury protocols in collision-based sports like rugby may not adequately address the risks of repeated head trauma, and studies have shown a high prevalence of CTE in former rugby players. The lawsuit comes a decade after the NFL reached a settlement over similar issues, and experts emphasize the need to prioritize player welfare and safety in sports.