Premier League Will Use Saliva Test To Diagnose Concussion

The Premier League is set to trial a saliva test that can be used to diagnose concussion. 

A joint action plan on brain health published by the league, along with the Football Association, the EFL and the Professional Footballers’ Association, sets out details of work being done to protect current footballers from concussion and sub-concussive impacts, and to understand why there is an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease among professional footballers compared to the general population. 

It follows the publication of the SCRUM study findings in March, which showed a saliva biomarker tool was able to accurately detect concussion in elite male rugby players.  

Led by academics at the University of Birmingham, the study successfully predicted the outcome of head injury assessments (HIAs) in 94% of cases during testing in the 2018-19 Premiership and Championship season. 

The plan sets out work being done to protect footballers from the impact of concussions. 

Players will provide baseline swabs then at three further time points following a concussive injury, the plan said. 

Current and former footballers and their families are being consulted on the action plan, with an updated version to be published before the start of next season. 

In 2020, the FA published guidance on heading in U18s football, while the FA, Premier League and EFL are all trialling additional permanent concussion substitutes in their competitions. 

The Premier League trialled concussion substitutes in February after concern over links between head injuries in football and dementia.