New study links Motor Neurone Disease to high-level contact sportsGETTY IMAGES Stricken South African rugby star Joost van der Westhuizen with his children and Springboks players at Ellis Park in 2015. New research suggests athletes are eight times more likely to developing Motor Neurone Disease after sustaining repeated blows to the head and spine in top level sport. But they believe repeated blows sustained at a high technical level, where competitors are faster and stronger, creates a much greater risk. Springboks rugby star Joost van der Westhuizen died from the disease and respected Scottish forward Doddie Weir is suffering. Consultant spine surgeon Mike Hutton of Britain told the Daily Mail there was evidence linking sport to the disease but he urged more research.

Source: Stuff February 10, 2019 21:11 UTC