Scottish pioneering device could help save lives, experts claim

The Edinburgh-based start-up, HIT, has developed a device which could help prevent life-threatening consequences from concussions.

The tool, also named HIT, could provide a better insight into how head impacts affect brain health. 

HIT’s creator Euan Bowen said: “What our device does is inform you with data so you, your teammate, or a parent can make a better decision. The device will learn with you and that’s the most exciting thing about it.

“We believe it is pioneering because we’re not collecting data in the lab, we’re collecting it from everyday users and pro riders, and we’re seeing trends. We’re going to see how head impact affects gender and age, and even how effective different equipment is. From there, we’ll start to see the whole picture and that will help inform research on the long-term effects of concussion and head injury.”

The announcement comes after the UK Government published the first-ever nationwide guidelines to help those playing grassroots sports manage and prevent concussions. 

The recommendations build on similar guidelines brought forward by the Scottish Government in 2018.

Aiming for a “culture change" in the way head injuries are dealt with, the recommendations outlined players should rest for 24 hours following a suspected concussion and should not return to competitive sport for at least 21 days. 

Angus Hunter, professor in neuromuscular physiology at Nottingham Trent University, said: “By capturing data on the forces involved in head impacts alongside electrophysiological brain changes, we hope to identify thresholds for concern and allow sportspeople, coaches and parents to make more informed decisions about whether to continue the sport, rest or seek medical help. This could help save lives and reduce the risk of neurodegeneration later in life.”

Professional mountain bikers will be the first to trial the device, yet HIT’s developers claim it can be used in any “gravity sport” where helmets are worn. 

Hunter added: “For cycling, there is a greater risk of a high-force impact. A high-impact linear or rotational force to the head places the rider at risk of something called Second Impact Syndrome. They can fall and feel fine, get back on the bike and keep riding but parts of their brain can often swell, even bleed.

“Therefore, if they have a second impact, this can result in death. Monitoring impact can provide coaches with a data-informed decision to withdraw that rider off their bike and give their brain a recognised period of time to recover.”

Attached to the rider’s helmet, HIT will monitor the G-force of a head impact and measure the smaller cumulative impacts experienced by riders. The latter is thought to have a similar effect to a footballer regularly heading a ball throughout a match.

As the device is connected to an app that operates through a traffic light warning system, users can then make an informed decision on whether to seek medical attention. 

The device also has a GPS, capable of sending alerts if a user suffers an accident. 

To date, concussion severity has been hard to diagnose as it depends on various factors such as bone thickness and body skeletal, yet consequences can be deadly. 

Studies have revealed that people who have suffered serious concussions, particularly those under the age of 21, are more prone to long-term implications, including depression and suicide.