Head and brain injuries have become an increasingly important topic across the sports world.
Last year’s bachelor’s project by UvA medicine student Okke Thijssen demonstrates how research on this topic can contribute directly to decision-making in sports practice.
For his bachelor's thesis, Okke investigated head and brain injuries in water polo. The research question was proposed by Dr. Maarten Moen, Chief Medical Officer at NOC*NSF (and AMS member), highlighting a challenge identified in sports practice. Okke’s findings coincided with discussions within the Medical Advisory Board of the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (Koninklijke Nederlandse Zwembond (KNZB)), which was developing a position statement on the use of protective headgear in the sport. The board found that the conclusions of Okke’s research closely aligned with its own review, helping to inform the federation’s final statement.
The research has led to concrete follow-up actions. The KNZB has increased its focus on the vulnerability of water polo goalkeepers and will introduce protective headbands during training programmes to evaluate their potential in reducing head impacts, combining scientific evidence with practical experience.
While the current evidence does not yet support recommending protective headgear during matches, the research highlights groups at higher risk of concussion, including goalkeepers and centre players, and underlines the importance of continued monitoring, awareness and prevention.
This collaboration illustrates how AMS connects research with practice. It is one of many examples of the collaboration between Maarten Moen, and the ACES Amsterdam team, translating questions from sports practice into research with real-world impact. It also shows that meaningful impact is not limited to large research programmes, even a bachelor’s project can contribute to safer sport and inform decisions made at the national level.
Read the full KNZB statement here: https://lnkd.in/e4cfR6yW
AMS Supervisors: Dr. Joep Suskens and Prof. Dr. Hans Tol