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MILD traumatic brain injury is emerging as a major public health issue for all high-contact sports in Australia, with many of the hundreds of concussions each week going undiagnosed and untreated.

Nearly 10 per cent of footballers, perhaps more in professional ranks, are knocked out or left dazed and confused at least once every season, an Australian study has found. Players whose brains had been rattled already were twice as likely to suffer further concussions the following season. The study found footballers wearing headgear were less likely to risk this injury but researchers were uncertain why.

Researchers worldwide are now finding links between multiple concussions suffered by athletes in body contact sports during their career and dementia later in life.

Researchers from The George Institute, affiliated with the University of Sydney, identified the high risk of repeat concussion among footballers after following 3207 amateur rugby union players over three years.

A report commissioned by the National Football League in the US and released yesterday showed former footballers were afflicted by Alzheimer's or similar memory-related diseases at 19 times the normal rate for men aged between 30 and 49.

Last weekend the Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten missed the entire first half and the start of the second after being knocked out in his side's first tackle of the match against the Eels in the National Rugby League semi-final.

Mark Stevenson, a senior director at The George Institute, said more research was needed into the risks posed to young players.

''It's vital that we conduct research in this field, so that we build the evidence and more effectively understand the issues,'' said Professor Stevenson after the publication of the study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

''What our research tells parents, schools and those managing rugby teams is that they need to pay particular attention to those players who have sustained a concussion.''

Tony Broe, of the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, said any blow to the head could be dangerous.

"Any concussion is a brain injury and cumulative concussions are toxic,'' said Professor Broe, who is an expert in traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease and part of a 25-year study of traumatic brain injury.

''They can lead to life-long deficits in control and behaviour, thinking and responding, and may lead to dementia coming on earlier.''

Football’s big headache: key findings

1. Nearly 10 per cent of the players suffered at least one or more Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries every season.

2. Injuries ranged between losing conciousness for up to 30 minutes, loss of memory before or after the incident and feeling dazed and confused.

3. Being concussed once before the season made players two times more likely to suffer further brain injuries during the next 12 months. One footballer incurred six concussions.

4. Footballers wearing headgear were less likely to risk this injury, but researchers were uncertain whether the padding offered protection or the wearer took fewer risks with their head.

5. Players with less than three years playing experience or more than eight years had a higher incidence of brain injuries.

Source: The George Institute