In brief
HIT-IQ says it is prepared to support recommendations in a Senate inquiry report on concussion and repeated head trauma in contact sports. The report calls for a national sports injury database, concussion reporting by professional codes, more research and stronger return-to-play safeguards. The company says its sensor-equipped Smart Mouthguards track head impacts and that its ConneQt platform helps teams report and manage concussion incidents, notify caregivers and connect players with medical experts. Founder Mike Vegar said the technology could assist sport at grassroots and professional levels. The release also cites a company survey in which 40% of parents whose children do not play sport said fear of concussion and brain injury made them unlikely to sign their children up. Kylie Fraser described using the mouthguard and app to track her son’s impacts.
Key takeaways
- HIT-IQ says it is ready to assist with the Senate report’s concussion-related recommendations.
- The report calls for a national sports injury database and concussion reporting by professional codes.
- HIT-IQ says its Smart Mouthguards track head impacts and its ConneQt platform supports incident management.
- The company reports that 40% of surveyed parents with children who do not play sport were unlikely to enroll them because of concussion concerns.
HIT-IQ - the Aussie company behind ground-breaking concussion technology used by AFL, AFLW, Super Rugby and American Football - provided evidence to the Senate Inquiry and stands ready to help
October 18, 2023 -- Developed to detect head impacts of all severity, the game-changing sensor technology in every HIT-IQ Smart Mouthguard is available now to all juniors and grassroots participants nationwide.
Statement from HIT-IQ Founder Mike Vegar:
“HIT-IQ is pleased to see the report tabled by the Senate Committee sending a clear message to Australia that it’s time to get serious about concussion and brain injury risks at every level of sport.
“The report’s first recommendation is that Australia establish a National Sports Injury Database as a matter of urgency across both professional and grassroots sport. The second recommendation is for professional codes to collect and report concussion data into this new database, while further recommendations call for strengthened concussion research and return-to-play safeguards. Across all fronts, HIT-IQ is ready and able to help.
“Our validated HIT-IQ sensor mouthguards are used widely across the globe. These are fitted with hi-tech sensors that detect and monitor head impacts on a longitudinal basis and are exactly the kind of technology this Senate Report shows is needed to safeguard Aussie kids, local grassroot players and professional sports stars. Tracking head impacts over the course of one's playing life is one of the singularly most important steps the industry can take.
“Our world-first concussion management platform “ConneQt” is an integrated one-stop-shop for teams to report and manage concussion incidents that notify caregivers, provides return-to-learn and return-to-play guidance and connects players instantly to trained concussion medical experts.
“Australia is a sports-loving country and it’s important to protect that. But we know that repeat head knocks can be devastating, and in some cases, sadly, life-altering. A recent survey we conducted of parents across Australia found 40% of those with kids who don’t play sport were unlikely to sign them up because of parents’ fear of concussion and brain injury.”
Statement from Kylie Fraser, wife of former AFL player Josh Fraser and mum to Ted, 13:
“I watched my husband Josh play AFL football for 13 years so I know how physical the game can be and the risk of concussion and head knocks in general. Our son Ted absolutely loves playing football and I would never stop him from playing, so having him wear the HIT-IQ Smart mouthguard this year and tracking his knocks through the HIT-IQ app was very much peace of mind and an absolute game-changer!”
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW/ VISION/ PICS:
● HIT-IQ Founder Mike Vegar, Perth
● HIT-IQ CEO Glenn Smith, Melbourne (HIT-IQ Head Office)
● Kylie Fraser, Melbourne, mum to junior footy player Ted, 13
● Kate McCarthy, Melbourne, former AFLW player and current Western Bulldogs coaching staff
MEDIA CONTACT: Jane Metlikovec I 0409 539 880 I [email protected]
Read the Senate report here
Additional background
This groundbreaking Senate Inquiry signifies a huge leap forward in recognising and treating head impacts in Australia. HIT-IQ encourages players and participants of grassroots and professional sports to make educated decisions driven by the latest concussion research combined with cutting-edge concussion management technologies to empower the future of impact sports throughout Australian communities.
If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.
At a glance
- Company
- HIT-IQ
- Announcement
- Regulatory
- Location
- Australia
Key figures
- Parents unlikely to sign up children because of concussion and brain injury fears
- 40%
- Josh Fraser’s AFL playing career
- 13 years
- Ted’s age
- 13
People
- Mike VegarHIT-IQ Founder
- Kylie FraserWife of former AFL player Josh Fraser and mother of Ted
