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Concussions, commonly referred to as mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), are a prevalent concern in sports, particularly those with high levels of contact and collision such as rugby, football, soccer, and boxing. The phrasing of a concussion is important as a concussion has long been associated with brain trauma in the singular sense but whilst considering sports such as rugby, football, or soccer we see mild brain traumas (mTBIs) happening during games consistently in real-time through tackles, heading of the ball, and the coming together of heads.
The potential long-term consequences of mTBIs have prompted researchers, athletes, and healthcare professionals to seek innovative recovery methods. One such approach gaining traction is the utilisation of breathwork techniques, like Oxygen Advantage, to aid in the recovery process and enhance overall brain health. This blog delves into the phenomenon of mTBIs in sports, the challenges they pose, and how Oxygen Advantage breathwork could offer a promising avenue for recovery.
mTBIs occur when a forceful impact on the head or body leads to the brain's rapid movement within the skull, causing biochemical changes and potential damage to neural tissues. Sports that involve physical contact or collisions, such as football, football, soccer, rugby, and ice hockey, carry inherent risks of mTBIs. These injuries not only affect professional athletes but also extend to amateur players and even children engaged in youth sports. The long-term effects of repeated mTBIs, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), cognitive decline, and emotional disturbances, highlight the gravity of this issue.
Traditional approaches to mTBI recovery often include rest, cognitive therapy, and gradual physical activity reintroduction. However, these methods might not address the root causes of post-concussive symptoms. Neuroinflammation, reduced cerebral blood flow, and altered autonomic nervous system function are areas that need targeted attention for optimal recovery and we can achieve this through functional breathing practices.
I’m an advanced Oxygen Advantage Instructor. This breathwork methodology developed by Patrick McKeown, offers a novel approach to mTBI recovery by focusing on optimising breathing patterns. The foundation of Oxygen Advantage centers around improving functional breathing, which has a significant impact on various physiological processes, including, respiratory rate, breathing mechanics, biochemistry- end-tidal CO2 ( a sign of CO2 sensitivity in the brain), cerebral perfusion, and autonomic nervous system regulation. (Churchill et al, 2017)
At The Breath Coach, I put an emphasis on nasal breathing over mouth breathing to promote better oxygen exchange, increase nitric oxide production, and regulate carbon dioxide levels. This is essential as nitric oxide helps dilate blood vessels, enhancing blood flow to the brain. Moreover, the controlled maintenance of carbon dioxide levels achieved through breathwork assists in maintaining optimal blood pH and regulating sympathetic-parasympathetic balance.
We must put emphasis on brain injuries in the same way that we do on muscle injuries. There is an accumulative effect created by a brain injury just like in a muscle injury. Let me explain- when a soccer player for instance damages their ACL or hamstring there is a greater chance that that player will experience the same injury after recovery, in their career. The same goes for the brain as it’s no different the the muscles in the body. Lennon et al, 2023 explain that '“significant long-term cognitive deficits begin to be seen after only 3-lifetime MTBIs. This should be carefully considered when counseling individuals post -TBI about continuing high-risk activities”.
This information is nothing new in the sports science world. Froman. C (1968) Alterations of respiratory function in patients with severe head injuries paper explains that mTBIs affect breathing, “Increase in minute ventilation and a reduction in arterial carbon dioxide tension is commonly found in such patients”.
David Jackson, Master Instructor at The Oxygen Advantage is doing great work on highlighting the short and long-term effects of mTBIs in athletes. As an ex-professional rugby player, his career was cut short in 2013 due to a TBI, and suffered from persistent post-concussive symptoms (PCS). Through his training and work at The Oxygen Advantage, he has managed to reverse and heal the damage found on his MRI.
That then brings up the discussion of whether we should be tracking recovery through symptoms or scans of the brain. Research suggests the latter. While the clinical symptoms and functional impairments typically resolve within several days, increasing evidence suggests persistent neurophysiological abnormalities beyond the point of clinical recovery after injury (Wang, 2016), which suggests that individuals are placed into a false sense of security in relation to brain recovery.
Concussions or mBTIs remain a significant concern in the world of sports due to their potential long-term impact on athletes' health and well-being. Addressing the challenges of concussion recovery requires innovative approaches that consider the underlying physiological processes. Oxygen Advantage breathwork, by enhancing cerebral blood flow, regulating inflammation, and promoting autonomic nervous system balance, offers a promising avenue for supporting concussion recovery. As research in this field continues to evolve, integrating these breathwork techniques into comprehensive concussion management protocols could potentially revolutionise the way athletes recover from these traumatic brain injuries, ensuring both short-term rehabilitation and long-term brain health.
