Team GB cyclists to trial concussion tests in Paris

Team GB cyclists astatine nan Paris Olympics will person their saliva analysed to trial for imaginable concussions.

By comparing molecule biomarkers recovered successful nan saliva, doctors dream to find whether a cyclist has suffered a concussion from a clang and assistance their return to riding.

Trials person been undertaken successful interaction sports, specified arsenic rugby union.

Team caput of aesculapian Nigel Jones said British Cycling is nan first cycling federation to present nan test.

Track sprinter Jack Carlin, who will compete for Team GB successful Paris, said: "Concussion is different to a beingness wounded and emotion safe and assured getting backmost connected nan motorcycle isn't ever straightforward.

"Being provided pinch a clear image of erstwhile we tin safely resume various stages of training and return to competition, enhancing our information and performance, will make a immense difference."

Riders going to Paris person provided baseline saliva samples and if they suffer a crash, their test and betterment will beryllium monitored via a comparison of nan biomarkers pinch nan baseline and consequent samples.

The move is portion of a investigation task betwixt British Cycling and Marker Diagnostics, a institution which specialises successful biomarkers.

Dr Jones, who antecedently worked arsenic squad expert for nan England men's rugby national team, said: "Some cycling disciplines surely are interaction sports if you look astatine a batch of way cycling; a sprint decorativeness successful a roadworthy race, group person their shoulders retired manoeuvring into position.

"Yes, you whitethorn person little concussions than rugby arsenic a sport, but nan value of those concussions is conscionable arsenic adjacent because riders are rather often coming disconnected astatine thing up to 70kph and we cognize that helmets whitethorn mitigate against nan consequence of catastrophic traumatic encephalon injury, they don't mitigate nan consequence of concussion."