Brain Health and Sport—Reducing Risk and Maximizing Benefit

Brain health is a concept that focuses on protecting our brains throughout our life course through minimizing exposure to risk factors and building cognitive reserve and resilience. While the longer term risks associated with concussion and head injuries are of increasing focus and concern, engagement in sport and sports organizations, have clear brain health benefits in terms both of physical activity and social connection.

This webinar, developed by the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin in conjunction with the GAA’s Medical, Scientific, and Welfare Committee, features a panel of Irish and international experts. It will introduce the broad concept of life course brain health and explore the role that engagement with sport across all ages can play in keeping our brains healthy. It will also explore the risks associated with contact sport, the current best practice measures to address and mitigate these risks, and what can be done at the individual and organizational level to help reduce risk.

Speakers

• Prof. Colin Doherty: Ellen Mayston Bates Professor of Epileptology and Head of School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital
• Dr. Kevin Moran: Urologist, General Surgeon, Concussion Expert, member of the GAA Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee
• Dr. Lorina Naci: Associate Professor of Psychology, School of Psychology and Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin
• Colm Fuller: Director of Player Health, Brentford FC, former Head of Physiotherapy, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic and former Lead Physiotherapist for the Irish Rugby Team. Currently undertaking his PhD in Concussion at University College Cork 
• Prof. William Stewart: Consultant Neuropathologist Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Honorary Clinical Associate Professor University of Glasgow'

Facilitated by: 

• Prof. Brian Lawlor: Site Director, Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin
• Eoghan Tuohey: GAA Player Welfare Manager