A recent research piece examined the prevalence of concussions in male and female rugby players in the United States, with a focus on the attitudes and behaviours that prevent reporting.

The most common reason players gave for not reporting a head impact was not wanting to let down teammates, coaches, or parents — a finding that points to a deep-rooted stigma around removal from play.

"I didn't want to let down my teammates — I didn't want to let down my coach."

Survey respondents — US Rugby Union study

In elite sport, the pressure compounds further. Financial incentives, career stakes, and the expectation to perform in important matches all contribute to a culture where underreporting is widespread.

At grassroots level, the problem is different but equally serious. Many competitions take place without a qualified athletic trainer or physician present, placing the burden of concussion management on volunteers, coaches, and parents.

"Nonelite rugby matches may have less than optimal medical coverage, with most competitions occurring without an athletic trainer or physician present."

Research finding

Education remains a key gap. Many athletes still believe that concussion only happens when someone is knocked unconscious, which means countless impacts go unrecognised and untreated.

HIT's device and companion app directly address this by giving athletes objective impact data, removing the ambiguity that makes self-reporting so difficult and providing a factual basis for the conversation.

The approach is straightforward: Recognise, Remove, Assess. By making impact data visible and accessible, HIT reduces the pressure on players to self-diagnose and supports better decision-making for everyone involved.