I've been playing rugby since I was eight, I never thought about concussion - until now

I've been playing rugby since I was eight, I never thought about concussion - until now1 hour agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleGwen AeronBBC Radio CymruCalum CarpenterFfion Jones is taking part in a new study examining the effects of repeated head impacts in rugby on womenWhen Ffion Jones started playing rugby at the age of eight, her focus was simply on doing her best for the team, despite regularly taking knocks to the head.Now 22, she is one of 30 women taking part in a new study at Cardiff University examining the effects of repeated head impacts.Jones said the lack of research on female athletes made the project "a really important step forward" and had changed how she thought about her health and future in the sport.The study's lead researcher, Peter Theobald, said it was the first project of its kind focused on women, with some evidence suggesting female brains could be more vulnerable to injury.Ffion JonesFfion Jones (right) began playing rugby alongside her sister Celyn when she was eight years oldJones said she began playing rugby with boys in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, alongside her sister, Celyn, after their father, a coach, put them both on the team.She explained that, as a child, head injuries were not something she worried about. "When I stepped onto the pitch, my focus was on playing the game and doing my best for the team," Jones said. "If I took a knock to the head, I'd just get up and carry on. I've had a few knocks over the years, but nothing major. "I always assumed everything would be fine."Jones said the lack of research on female athletes has been a long-standing issue, which encouraged her to take part in the study."It isn't acceptable that things like head injury assessment protocols in rugby are largely based on data from men and then slightly adapted for women," she said."That's why it's so encouraging to see research finally looking specifically at...