UK American football is rapidly growing throughout the country, with institutions like BAF (British American Football) gaining followers and influence as more people desire to play the overseas sport. Right now, across American deeper discussions are being had in regard to the rules and treatment around concussions as professionals are learning more about the brain. Professor Ben Jones’ research around concussion at Leeds Beckett played a pivotal role in the re-evaluation of the rules in rugby.
At present, there is a lack of available literature and credible sources to assess the injury patterns within the realm of American football in the United Kingdom. Given the growing involvement in both contact and flag football, it is crucial to comprehend the injury landscape and evaluate it in comparison to other sports in the country.
Leeds Beckett lecturer and researcher Ellie Travis is pioneering the way with her PHD research alongside UK American football teams including Team GB where she is co-physio.
Ellie said: “US and UK American football are at very different points. The support and facilities in England are nothing in comparison to the US so it was a case of just starting somewhere so I ended up going into academia and researching, realising there was a real deficit in the research in this country and the need to use that to educate and support practitioners.”
Working with Team GB and completing in depth research may be viewed as too much to take on board but Ellie believes its helpful: “I have it a little bit easier because i am able to work, collect data at the same time in an environment I’m familiar with.”
Ellie Travis is clear that her motivation and inspiration behind the research is to benefit the sport as a whole. Believing the sport is not the same sport if we change the rules on contact, however, there are things that can be done to minimise the risk of players.
Ellie spoke about where she hopes her research into concussions and injuries will take the sport in the next few years and said: “An area I’m interested in is developing the medical provision and medication side of thing and my current research has helped inform the updated medical provision but perhaps not to the extent I would have wanted to, but steps have been made because of the findings I’ve published.“
Researchers at Newcastle University are already looking into changing the rules on tackling in rugby and want to get rid of it, especially with youth teams. Travis believes this same conversation may occur with American football as the sport continues to grow. Ellie said: “My goal is to not squash the sport as I love it, I only want to develop participation but make sure that’s safe for the players and put things in place to ensure safety of participants. We want to inspire more education into the sport. Adding safe structure and facilities to support the sport will in all encourage participation and help the sport grow. The last thing I want to do is have a part in the re-evaluation of being able to tackle in American football.”
It’s been reported that players haven’t received correct education on spotting a concussion or recognising one in themselves. Furthermore, Ellies research has shown a great number of players receiving a concussion and failing to report it. One of the reasons for this was the culture around rugby and American football of being ‘tough’ and ‘not wanting to let your team down.’ Head strong mentality and not showing weakness has proven to be typical behaviour in under reporting.
Travis said: “One of my pieces looked at knowledge of concussion and generally the understanding of signs and symptoms was good, but the reporting of that became a challenge as they can downplay the seriousness of a concussion and recognise long term health implications but are not worried about it.”
It’s important to reiterate that Ellie Travis’ research is not to ruin the game and have the rules changed on tackling, but to ensure a wider understanding of the risks of concussion amongst players, coaches, and medical professionals surrounding the sport. Ellie hopes it may draw light on a taboo situation in order to promote better facilities and support for new and existing participants.
Travis said: “I want to inspire young people to get involved in sports therapy and American football, the research hopefully brings exposure to the sport and encourage people who may have not initially wanted to play, may change their mind.”
With world games in Finland this year after securing gold in the euros last year and the 2025 world games where female flag is participating, working alongside Team GB Ellie hopes these are perfect opportunities for her to carry out more valuable research and bring exposure to a fast growing sport.
