Does Having One Concussion in Sport Increase the Risk of Subsequent Concussions?

Six Nations Concussion – let’s cut straight to the chase!

Yes, having one concussion can increase the risk of getting another. But why does this happen? And more importantly, what can we do about it?

At Your Brain Health, we believe answering this question is pivotal to improving the future of concussion management. Understanding why the risk increases gives athletes, clinicians, and researchers the tools they need to develop smarter, safer strategies for prevention and recovery. The ultimate goal? Safeguarding the long-term health of the brain, especially for those who put it on the line every time they play.

The evidence tells us some of the story—but not all of it. So, let’s unpack what we know and what might be contributing to this increased risk.

Keep an eye on this year’s Six Nations concussion cases – how big is the collision and are they sustained by players with a history? You can find all the men’s, women’s and U20s fixtures HERE

Risk Factors: The Inside and Outside Story

When it comes to concussion, there are external factors—like the rules of the game, training schedules, or protective gear—and internal factors, which are more about what’s happening inside the brain and body.

Both matter, but internal factors seem to be the bigger piece of the puzzle when it comes to why one concussion can make future ones more likely.

Let’s take a look at the breakdown of some of the key internal factors that might contribute to the Six Nations concussions this season.

Internal Risk Factors


1. Motor Control and Coordination: The Body’s Foundation

Ever feel like your body just isn’t moving the way it should? After a concussion, changes in coordination, reaction time, and spatial awareness can throw athletes off their game. This can lead to awkward movements or reduced neck and head stability, making another hit more likely.

The good news? Targeted rehab focusing on neck strength, stability, and dynamic movement can help restore confidence and reduce risk. Think of it as rewiring the body’s GPS.


2. Cognitive Function: Fast Brains Make Smart Plays

Split-second decisions are the bread and butter of most sports. But concussions can slow processing speed, mess with attention, and cloud memory. The result? Poor decisions on the field, unexpected collisions, and even higher odds of another injury.

Solution? Incorporate sport-specific cognitive training into recovery plans. Faster thinking equals smarter, safer gameplay.


3. Vision: More Than Meets the Eye

Your brain and eyes work as a team. After a concussion, that teamwork can falter, impacting things like depth perception, eye movement control, and spatial awareness. This leaves athletes vulnerable to missing critical visual cues during play.

The emerging field of vision training holds promise for retraining the brain’s eye control systems. It’s early days, but the potential is exciting.


4. Vestibular System: Balance and Beyond

Concussions don’t just make you dizzy—they can also mess with how your brain processes movement, balance, and spatial orientation. Even small disruptions in these areas can make athletes more prone to falls or poorly executed plays.

Vestibular rehab is a key part of recovery, addressing those subtle balance issues that might otherwise fly under the radar.


5. The Threshold Effect: When Resilience Takes a Hit

Ever notice that some athletes, after multiple concussions, seem to get injured more easily—and from less severe impacts? This is what’s known as the “threshold effect,” where the brain’s ability to recover diminishes with each injury.

Several factors play into this:

Metabolic Imbalance: The brain struggles to regulate energy after repeated hits.

Cumulative Damage: Neurons take a beating, making cognitive and neurological issues worse.

Neuroinflammation: Chronic inflammation makes the brain more vulnerable.

Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown: This critical protective layer weakens, leaving the brain exposed.

Synaptic Dysfunction: Communication between neurons slows, impacting overall brain performance.

The solution lies in understanding these risks early and tailoring recovery programs to build resilience instead of rushing back to play.


6. The Autonomic Nervous System: A Hidden Player

This system controls vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Concussions can throw it out of whack, which might explain why some athletes struggle with performance or symptoms only during high-pressure gameplay. That’s why mimicking real-game conditions during return-to-play protocols is so crucial.


7. Rest: Finding the Sweet Spot

Believe it or not, too much rest can backfire. While rest is essential in the early days of recovery, prolonged inactivity can lead to deconditioning, loss of confidence, and even higher injury risk.

A balanced recovery plan gradually reintroduces physical and cognitive activity, rebuilding resilience in a way that’s specific to the athlete’s sport.

What’s Next?

Every concussion tells a story—and every recovery is a chance to learn. The more we understand the factors behind increased concussion risk, the better we can protect athletes. At Your Brain Health, we’re committed to being part of the solution.

By contributing to global research and refining clinical practices, we’re helping clinicians and athletes make smarter, evidence-based decisions. Whether it’s through new insights into brain health, targeted rehab, or innovative training approaches, we’re working toward a future where athletes can thrive without sacrificing their long-term brain health.

For those looking to stay ahead of the curve, our courses dive deep into the latest research, offering actionable strategies for managing concussions at all levels of sport.

The bottom line? Knowledge is power. And with the right tools, we can give athletes the support they need to play smarter, recover better, and protect their most valuable asset: their brain.