Rugby and ALS: Expert denies direct link after Lewis Moody diagnosis

Rugby and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Professional Analysis

An expert in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), an incurable disease that affects the muscles, has stated that there is no direct causal link between playing rugby and developing this condition. The news of the ALS diagnosis of former England captain Lewis Moody, 47, has shocked the rugby world. This disease also caused the deaths of other prominent players such as Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and Joost van der Westhuizen. Ed Slater, Leicester and Gloucester second row, was also diagnosed with the same condition in 2022. 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.

Dr. Nick Cole

Dr. Cole added that, although studies have been conducted on the relationship between professional sports and ALS, these studies were small and showed a limited increase in a small number of people. According to Dr. Cole, the perception of a link between rugby and ALS could be influenced by the visibility of public figures sharing their experiences. However, six people are diagnosed with ALS every day, regardless of their participation in rugby. The specialist suggests that a genetic predisposition, combined with an active lifestyle and sports practice, could be a risk factor. ALS is caused by a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors.

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Sport could be one of the contributing factors, but there are many other areas within the biology of ALS that are being investigated to find effective treatments. Significant progress has recently been made in the treatment of ALS, with the development of an effective therapy for a genetic form of the disease, although it is not yet available in the National Health Service. The ALS Association’s funding has been critical to many of these discoveries, and more medications are expected to be developed. However, neurodegenerative diseases are complex, and a cure could be found “tomorrow or within several years”. Dr. Cole emphasized that ALS is not intractable, but rather underfunded, and more research is needed to develop effective therapies. Friends and former teammates of Moody at Leicester, Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd, have created a GoFundMe page to support the British and Irish player who captained England 12 times.

Dr. Cole pointed out that the disease can progress rapidly in some people. A third of people die within two years of diagnosis. In addition, each case requires adaptations to the home and medical care, which can be expensive and affect the ability to work.