Motor neuron disease(MND) is a rare disorder that causes sections of the nervous system to deteriorate over time. This causes muscle weakening and atrophy, which is typically noticeable.
Motor neuron disease, commonly known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a condition in which motor neurones, which are nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, stop operating properly. Neurodegeneration is the term for this.
Motor neurones control important muscle activity, such as gripping, walking, speaking, swallowing, breathing.
People with motor neuron disease will find some or all of these tasks increasingly challenging as the disease advances. They may become impossible at some point.
Can playing rugby cause motor neurone disease?
In view of the examples of Joost van der Westhuizen, Tinus Linee, John Mudgeway, Ryan Walker, and Jarrod Cunningham, all professional rugby players who have suffered from MND, many have questioned whether there is a link between rugby-related head traumas and MND.
Dr David Anderson, a Neurologist at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, tells Radio 702’s Redi Tlhabi that while the disease is linked to recurrent head injury, the exact reason has yet to be discovered.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most prevalent cause of MND, damages both upper and lower motor neurons.
“There’s an increased risk with head injury. Studies have shown that with repeated head injury it increases your risk of getting ALS.”
He said studies have shown there’s a double risk with repeated head injury.
“In Italy, soccer players who had recurrent head injuries with loss of consciousness had about a six-fold increased risk.”