Netherlands Sports Council (Nederlandse Sportraad): 'Protect the brains of young athletes'

The Netherlands Sports Council (Nederlandse Sportraad) is calling on the sports sector and the government to protect (young) athletes against brain injury. The Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) sees the new advisory report as confirmation that the martial arts sector was right to take measures at an early stage.

Sport is healthy, but it also involves risks, such as concussion after a fall, or the risk of chronic brain injury caused by repeated blows to the head. In the martial arts sector, awareness of the risks during training sessions and competitions has been growing for years. As early as 2017 this led to measures by the VA, including the step by step introduction of a ban on punches and kicks to the head in bouts involving minors. In addition, guidelines for training sessions were issued. Following an evaluation, the VA concluded last year that there is scope for a dispensation rule for top talents with international ambitions. The NVB has since drawn up a framework for this.

The 'no contact to the head' measure initially met with mixed responses. Over the years, however, more and more became known about the harmful consequences that blows to the head can have, particularly for children who are still growing. As a result, support for the measures increased steadily. They are now backed by a large majority of both trainers/coaches and parents of children who take part in sport.

With these preventive measures, however, martial arts were ahead of other sports. Many sports federations asked for further research. In June, scientific advice was published by the Health Council of the Netherlands (Gezondheidsraad) . That report confirmed that repeated blows to the head increase the risk of chronic brain injury, including dementia. Children and young people are especially vulnerable, because their brains are still developing.

The Netherlands Sports Council sees this as a reason to take concrete measures against brain injury. The Health Council's research has therefore now been translated into practical recommendations:

• A ban for children up to the age of 12 on heading in football, blows to the head in martial arts and tackles in rugby, and strongly discouraging these up to the age of 18. Adults are advised to reduce repeated head contact;
• Mandatory helmet use in sports with a risk of falling, such as equestrian sport, cycling, skiing and skating. A helmet is mandatory in organised competitions and at official sports facilities, and strongly recommended during training;
• Better coordination between sport and healthcare, including uniform guidelines for recovery after brain injury;
• Designation of a national centre of expertise for knowledge and research.

The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit sees the recommendations as confirmation that, with the measures introduced earlier, martial arts are on the right course, and encourages other (martial arts) sports to follow the recommendations. The VA is also willing to contribute to setting up a national centre of expertise.

For more information about the findings and recommendations, see the advisory page .

Download: Hoofdzaak, advice on preventing brain injury in sport (in Dutch)