Photo: Supplied/Dan Morrison
Despite growing scientific evidence head knocks in sport can have a significant impact on athlete health, it seems the message is still not getting through to the people who really need to know – the parents of young players.
Academic and Fulbright scholar Jesse Abdenour has studied the cultural attitudes towards concussion and sport in America. Next year, he’ll do the same here in New Zealand.
Abdenour, an Associate Professor at the School of Journalism and Communications in Oregon, is taking up a one-year placement at AUT, where he’ll focus on head knocks in rugby and the role media messaging can play in shaping people’s attitudes.
He talks to Mihi about how he hopes his time in New Zealand will further this international research.
