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PolarCap®: Revolutionizing Concussion Treatment in Contact Sports

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Head injuries are a growing concern in contact sports like rugby, ice hockey, American football, and even soccer. Concussions in sports can lead to serious short-term symptoms– headaches, dizziness, confusion – and potentially life-altering long-term effects.

Traditional concussion protocols often rely on rest and gradual return-to-play, but teams are seeking more advanced head injury treatments to improve concussion recovery and protect athletes. One breakthrough solution is PolarCap®, a portable brain-cooling device from Swedish MedTech company PolarCool AB. PolarCap® is designed to rapidly lower exercise-induced elevated brain temperature after an impact, offering an innovative concussion treatment that supports improved recovery.

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‍Concussions in Contact Sports: A Growing Concern

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High-impact sports carry a risk of concussion. In rugby, ice hockey, and football, routine tackles and collisions can cause the brain to jostle inside the skull. Even in soccer accidental collisions can trigger concussive injury. Beyond the immediate symptoms, repeated concussions can lead to prolonged recovery and have been linked to serious conditions like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

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Key challenges include:

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Recurring symptoms: Athletes may suffer from headaches, memory loss, and impaired coordination long after the initial injury.

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Extended downtime: Without effective treatment and a step-by-step return to sport protocol, players often need weeks or months to recover, impacting both health and team performance. Long-term risks:

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Repeated head trauma has been linked to lasting neurological issues, raising concerns about lifelong brain health.

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These risks have prompted sports organizations to update their concussion protocols. Instead of simply resting until symptoms fade, teams are adding proactive treatments. Acute brain-cooling therapy is gaining traction because research shows it can significantly improve concussion recovery. By adding PolarCap® to concussion protocols, teams are taking a proactive step in head injury treatment, aiming to improve recovery time and reduce long-term effects.

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How PolarCap® Works

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PolarCap® is a portable cooling cap that medical staff can apply on the sideline or in the locker room immediately after a player is diagnosed with a concussion. The device circulates cold fluid, non-invasively around the head and neck, aiming to quickly lower the elevated brain temperature, which athletes experience through sports. Cooling helps to reduce the increased metabolic need caused by the combination of the concussion and the elevated brain temperature, which can:

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Accelerate symptom relief: it has been shown that Athletes can feel immediate benefits, with headaches and other symptoms easing faster.

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Speed up recovery: Clinical trials show PolarCap® can significantly shorten the time needed to return to play.

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Reduce long-term effects: In the five-year study (SHL/Lund University), players treated with PolarCap® were nearly 80% less likely to experience prolonged concussion symptoms compared to those without cooling treatment.

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Key benefits of PolarCap® include:

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Rapid brain cooling: Lowers brain temperature right after impact.

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Portable treatment: The system can be used at games, practices, or anywhere needed.

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Clinically proven results: Studies published in the Journal of Neurotrauma show improved concussion recovery and reduced long-term absence.

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Ease of use: Quick application by team doctors or athletic trainers, with typical cooling sessions lasting 45–60 minute.

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By integrating PolarCap® into existing concussion protocols, medical staff have an active tool for head injury treatment. Instead of waiting for natural recovery, they can take immediate action to help athletes recover more quickly and safely.

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PolarCap®in Action: Adoption Across Sports

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Many elite sports teams and leagues around the world are now using PolarCap® as part of their concussion protocols. The device’s impact is especially notable in high-collision sports:

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Ice Hockey: PolarCap® has been a game-changer in hockey. Since 2021, PolarCap® has been provided at all arenas in Sweden’s top league (SHL). Several European clubs – from Germany’s top teams Eisbären Berlin and Adler Mannheim to the Cardiff Devils in the UK – now include PolarCap® in their concussion treatment plans. By addressing concussion injuries in ice hockey immediately, these teams help players reduce the risk of long-term issues and recover faster.

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Rugby: In rugby, where high-impact tackles are constant, PolarCap® is being integrated into concussion recovery routines. Elite clubs in France’s Top 14 (like Stade Français, Racing 92, Lyon) and teams in the United Rugby Championship are using the PolarCap® to treat concussions.

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American Football: Concussions remain a major challenge from youth leagues to professional football. In Europe’s professional league (ELF – European League of Football), teams such as the Raiders Tirol (Austria) and Hamburg Sea Devils (Germany) have adopted PolarCap® into their sideline medical kit. Researchers are also studying PolarCap® in American football to explore its benefits further. By adding PolarCap® to concussion protocols, these teams work to protect players at all levels.

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Soccer (Football): While less common than in full-contact sports, concussions do occur in soccer from headers, collisions, and falls. Top soccer organizations are taking notice. For example, the Football Association of Wales and German professional clubs are using PolarCap® to manage head injuries. Incorporating brain cooling into concussion treatment in soccer is an emerging approach to safeguard players and support concussion recovery.

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The Future of Concussion Protocols and Player Safety

As brain injury science advances, sports medicine must evolve to. PolarCap® represents a shift toward evidence-based concussion care. Instead of passive rest alone, teams now have an active medical response at injury time. Key benefits include:

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Evidence-based care: Backed by clinical studies, PolarCap® provides a data-driven approach to concussion treatment.

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Improved player welfare: Faster recoveries mean athletes spend less time sidelined and reduce the risk of worsening injuries.

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Peace of mind for teams: Coaches and medical staff gain confidence knowing they have state-of-the-art tools in their concussion protocols to benefit their players.

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Incorporating PolarCap®into concussion protocols helps sports organizations protect their most valuable asset: the health of their players. With continued research and growing use across contact sports, PolarCap® is setting a new benchmark for head injury treatment and concussion recovery.

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‍Conclusion

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 PolarCap® is transforming how sports teams manage concussions and head injuries. By providing immediate brain cooling after an impact, PolarCap® accelerates concussion recovery and strengthens any concussion protocol. Athletes in hockey, rugby, football, and soccer are already benefiting from this innovative treatment.

If your organization is committed to player safety and reducing concussion downtime, PolarCap® offers a proven solution. Learn how PolarCap® can aid your concussion management– contact us today for a consultation and keep your players safer on the field.

Written by Jamie Bache, Chief Growth Officer - PolarCap®