Lewis Moody and MND: Expert denies direct link with rugby

Rugby and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An In-Depth Analysis

An expert in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) has revealed that there is no direct causal connection between playing rugby and contracting this incurable neuromuscular disease. The news of the diagnosis of ALS of the former England captain, Lewis Moody, 47, has shocked the rugby world. This disease also caused the death of other prominent players such as Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and Joost van der Westhuizen. In addition, Ed Slater, second row of Leicester and Gloucester, received the same diagnosis in 2022.

Lewis Moody was capped 71 times for England during his illustrious career.Dr. Nick Cole, head of research at the ALS Association, explains that research suggests that a combination of factors is responsible for this progressive disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord.

“There is no concrete and definitive link between rugby and ALS,” Cole stated.

Dr. Nick Cole, Head of Research at the ALS Association

“A lot of work has been done to try to find common ground or causes related to sport and exercise. Some studies have shown a higher risk in people who practice professional sport, but they were small studies, so the increase was small in a small number of people.” “It’s more a matter of perception, because these high-profile people share their stories, but every day six people are diagnosed with ALS. Therefore, it’s not rugby itself, it could be a genetic predisposition to develop ALS for people who are made to be active and participate in sports.” “We know that ALS is caused by a mix of environment, lifestyle, and genetics. Sport could be one of the contributing factors, but there are many other aspects within the biology of ALS that we are investigating to find the effective treatments we need.”

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Recently, significant advances have been made in treatment following the development of an effective therapy for a genetic form of ALS, although it is not yet available on the National Health Service. The ALS Association’s funding has supported many of the discoveries and more medications are expected, but neurodegenerative diseases are complex and a cure could be found “tomorrow or within several years”.

“Now we know that ALS is not untreatable, it’s just not funded and we need to raise more funds to investigate more and get closer to effective therapies”, Cole said.

Dr. Nick Cole, head of research at the ALS Association

“It’s an absolutely devastating diagnosis. It’s extremely difficult for people and their families to come to terms with because it comes out of nowhere and can affect anyone.”

Geordan Murphy and Lewis Moody won seven Premiership titles together.Moody’s friends and former Leicester teammates, Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd, have set up a GoFundMe page for the British and Irish Lion who captained England 12 times. “The disease can be very rapid in some people. A third of people die within two years of diagnosis,” Cole said. “Each case will require adaptation of the home, which can be a slow process through legal service, so when you have the funding you need, you may have moved on to another stage of disability. The care you need can be expensive, in addition to the inability to work.”