IoT-enabled headband for real-time concussion monitoring in amateur rugby

Given the growing concern around chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), particularly in non-helmeted contact sports, this paper introduces the development and evaluation of an affordable concussion detection device specifically designed for amateur rugby players. While existing helmet-mounted devices focus primarily on head motion tracking, primarily in professional sports and defense applications, there remains a gap in accessible solutions for non-helmeted athletes. The proposed system incorporates an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and an IoT-enabled microcontroller into a compact, wearable headband capable of monitoring real-time head impacts. The IMU is positioned at the back of the head near the external occipital protuberance for measuring concussion and a force resistive sensor (FSR) near the temporal region (right side) of the skull to measure direct impact force. This location is chosen to minimise damage to both the sensors and the players since the nature of most tackles in rugby involves connecting the temporal region of the skull. The device will continuously monitor linear and angular acceleration, as well as force data, through a mobile application using IoT capabilities. To assist with early medical intervention, the device categorises impacts into three severity levels: low, medium, and high, indicating the potential need for prompt medical evaluation.