The Smart Body

Head impacts in rugby have become a major focus of research over the past decade because of their links to concussion and long-term brain health. This presentation looks at how researchers and rugby organisations are working to better understand the number, and magnitude of head impacts in the game. We’ll explore what we know about concussion in professional men’s rugby, how new ‘smart’ mouthguards are helping us measure head impacts during training and matches, and what the future may hold, including emerging biomarkers and data-driven approaches designed to support player welfare.

This talk explores how wireless medical devices are transforming healthcare, from wearable sensors to smart orthopaedic implants. It introduces the fundamentals of electromagnetic communication, antenna design, and the challenges of operating in the human body. It highlights how smart, connected systems can improve patient outcomes and enable future medical breakthroughs.