Three women from Rugby team taking diagnostic swab out of packaging, with BBC videographer filming.
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BBC Sport cover ‘ground-breaking’ concussion research in Women’s Rugby

Last month, we had a visit from BBC Sport and Marker Diagnostics as part of their ongoing research into concussion testing on female Rugby players. Marker Diagnostics is an emerging biotech company that was founded in 2016 following pioneering concussion research conducted at our university.

The test involves a simple mouth swab to collect saliva samples, which can then detect biomarkers for concussion.

Women's Rugby team huddled on the pitch with camera.
Rugby Women swabbing mouth with diagnostic marker.

After collaborating with the Rugby Football Union in the elite men’s competitions last year, Marker is now collaborating with Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) to validate the existing test in women, with evidence suggesting that effects of concussion may be more severe in women.

 

BBC Sport Correspondent Katie Gornall interviewed members of our Women’s Rugby Union club during their early morning training session on the pitch. Many members of the club had already taken part in the ground-breaking saliva swab test and noted that the test was ‘easy, quick and efficient.’

Watch the behind-the-scenes clips of the club’s morning with the BBC.

Member of women's rugby team sat on bench for interview with Katie Gornall.

 ‘Being a part of the progression it feels really good, especially seeing the difference between when I started and now. There’s so much input going into it now which is really important for the women’s game’  

Jemima Moss, University of Birmingham Rugby and former Worcester Warriors

Kat Merchant smiling holding Hall of Fame certificate.

As part of the research, BBC Sport also interviewed Former Rugby Union wing and University Alumna Kat Merchant, who last September was inducted into our University of Birmingham Sport Hall of Fame for her incredible achievements across her sporting career.

During her time playing rugby, Kat experienced over 30 concussions, stating:

 

‘There are some really, really dark times with it, because you don’t know what’s normal any more’.

Watch the BBC Sport Interview.

This highlights the importance of concussion testing within higher-risk sports to help better understand the signs and symptoms. It’s estimated that up to 80% of people experiencing concussions aren’t diagnosed.