Loughborough to host discussion with MPs on concussion in British wrestling

Experts and Members of Parliament are due to join together at Loughborough University this month for a discussion about the dangers of concussions and head injuries in wrestling.

Image of (l-r) Professor Claire Warden, Rhia O’Reilly, Alex Davies-Jones MP, Danny Stone from the first Parliamentary Conference on Professional Wrestling in November 2022. Image by Troy Grant Media.

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wrestling (APPG) will be joined by academics and representatives from the wrestling community at the event, Concussion in Wrestling: Building a Better Understanding, which will take place on Monday, June 5, at the Elite Athlete Centre (EAC), at Loughborough University.

It will begin with a welcome from Loughborough’s Professor Claire Warden and Alex Davies-Jones MP, the Co-Chair of the APPG.

Following the introductions, attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights from renowned specialists in the field. They include:

  • Dominic Malcolm, Professor of Sociology of Sport at Loughborough University, who will discuss the latest research trends in studies of concussion.
  • Kerry Glendon, Lead Physiotherapist for Loughborough Sport, who will provide insights into recognizing and managing concussion.
  • Michael Grey, Reader in Rehabilitation Neuroscience at the University of East Anglia, who will talk about concussion guidance for return to sport and work.

Professor Warden said: “Concussion in sports is an important topic that requires attention and research, and this event aims to shed light on the issue within the wrestling community.

“With a line-up of esteemed speakers and experts, the event promises to be a significant platform for enhancing knowledge and fostering dialogue regarding concussion recognition, management, and guidance for a safe return to sport and work.

“We are delighted to have experts sharing their knowledge and experiences in this critical area of research and practice, and sincerely glad to partner with the APPG in applying world-leading research to wrestling”.

Alex Davies-Jones MP said: "Wrestlers from across the UK pressed us to do more on concussion, we listened and have acted. It has been brilliant to work with Loughborough University on today’s event which is shining a light on the significant issues around concussion that professional wrestlers face.

“For too long the wrestling industry has been unregulated and the lack of concussion protocols are particularly problematic.

“As co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wrestling in Parliament I am keen to support where I can, and will continue to work with wrestlers, industry experts, academics and all involved to bring improvements to this thriving sector."

For more information about the APPG on Wrestling see please visit https://www.alexdaviesjones.com/all-party-parliamentary-group-on-wrestling/

For more details about this event please contact Professor Claire Warden (C.Warden@lboro.ac.uk) or the Secretariat of the APPG Danny Stone (dstone@antisemitism.org.uk).

ENDS

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 23/85

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2023 QS World University Rankings – the seventh year running – and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2023, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2023 and 11th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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