Cheek-to-Cheek Theory Leads to Groundbreaking Research
Groundbreaking concussion research that may change the way athletes the world over play rugby is taking place right here in our community.
Inside the Sports Concussion Clinic at John Hunter Hospital, pro footballer Timana Tahu, neuropsychologist Associate Professor Andrew Gardner, and biomechanics lecturer Dr Suzi Edwards are driving major innovations in concussion prevention and treatment.
Timana reached out to Andrew in 2017 after he developed a theory – the key to preventing concussions in rugby was transforming the way players tackle. He believed the traditional “cheek to cheek” method of targeting the ball carrier’s pelvic area increased the risk of traumatic head injury. Timana thought the attacker should aim higher, targeting the more forgiving abdominal region.
Andrew, an associate professor with the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health, is widely regarded as a trailblazer in his field. He co-leads the concussion research program with Professor Chris Levi. He saw promise in Timana’s theory and Timana himself as a collaborator.
In 2018, Timana, Andrew, and Suzi began to pursue scientific evidence through a research project centred on tackling technique. Suzi, a senior biomechanics lecturer, based at the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast campus, had previously been focused on basketball injuries, but she was excited by the possibilities of Timana’s ideas.
“Most research looks into how big the head impact is,” Suzi says. “No one has been looking at how you can actually change the tackle technique to make it safer for all. Tackling is where all the injuries occur.”
The “cheek to cheek” technique is an integral part of the coaching “bible”, and it is still being taught to children at a grassroots level. Their team of three is now working with the NRL on a review of its coaching manual using an evidence-based approach. “This is where we can have an impact,” says Suzi.
The SCC, Australia’s first public health clinic for concussed athletes, is open to athletes aged 12 and over of all abilities and disciplines – from junior teams to professional players. Timana, Andrew and Suzi’s work there is creating an impact that will be felt across the community. Professor Chris Levi, Director of Clinical Research and Translation at the University of Newcastle, heads up the clinic, which treats athletes with wide-ranging backgrounds, from the University’s quidditch team to NRL players. This work further enhances the research and optimises best practice in the local community.
Though their work involves elite players at the highest professional levels of the game, Andrew and Suzi are quick to emphasise their work also has relevance to grassroots sport and will likely play a significant role in shaping protocols and policies.
“Techniques and protocols filter down from the professional level to community competition, which is why it is important to educate across all levels, and the elite teams and coaches lead the way,” says Andrew.
In recent years, there has been increasing public awareness around sport-related Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repetitive head injury. Andrew has developed the “three Rs” approach—recognise, remove, refer—which is being adopted by sporting codes from the community to the elite level.
For Timana, this journey has been a personal one. In 2001, while delivering a record-breaking win for the Newcastle Knights, Timana was tackled so hard he lost consciousness.It was the worst concussion of Timana’s impressive 16-year professional football career.
“I didn’t want to keep getting concussed,” he says. “I was thinking a lot about my safety.”
Together with the University of Newcastle team, he’s committed to pursuing a lasting solution.
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