Concussion Expert Warns Collision Running and Power Slap Risk Death 2026

Collision running and face-slapping competitions pose a “distinct possibility” of death, a leading concussion expert has told a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry is examining whether emerging sports like Run Nation and Power Slap should be classified as combat sports to better regulate participant safety.

Dr Rowena Mobbs, a neurologist and expert in concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), told the inquiry she did not believe “any form of modification” could make the sports safer. She compared the impacts to a coward punch or “king-hit,” saying, “Collision running and Power Slap are worse than eye-gouging and should be deemed a king-hit, for death is a distinct possibility.”

What Are Collision Running and Power Slap?

Collision running, exemplified by competitions like Run Nation, involves two players running at each other and colliding at high speed. It turns rugby league “hit-ups” into a standalone sport. Power Slap features players taking turns slapping each other across the face with full force.

Both activities have gained traction online, raising concerns about the lack of oversight and the potential for serious head injuries. The NSW inquiry, established in August, is now scrutinising whether these should fall under combat sports regulations.

The Tragic Consequences

A 19-year-old died in New Zealand last year after suffering a critical head injury while playing a tackling game believed to have been inspired by the viral “run it straight” challenge. Run Nation’s organisers have claimed their competition is a safer version, but experts remain unconvinced.

Dr Mobbs’s testimony underscores the severe risks associated with repetitive head trauma. She warned that the forces involved in these activities are comparable to those in a coward punch, which can be fatal.

Regulatory and Legal Developments

In September, a NSW Supreme Court judge ruled that Run Nation was a combat sport, upholding a cancellation notice for a Sydney event that month. This decision sets a precedent for how such competitions might be regulated in the future.

The inquiry is now considering whether broader legislation is needed to ensure participant safety. The classification as a combat sport would subject these events to stricter safety and medical requirements.

Key Concerns Raised by Experts

• High risk of death or serious injury due to forceful impacts to the head and body.
• Lack of effective safety modifications that could mitigate the dangers.
• Similarity to coward punch attacks, which are illegal and widely condemned.
• Potential for long-term brain damage, including CTE, from repetitive trauma.
• Regulatory gaps that allow such competitions to operate with minimal oversight.

How the Sports Compare

What This Means for Participants and Organisers

The inquiry’s findings could lead to stricter rules for collision running and Power Slap, including mandatory medical supervision, headgear, and limits on force. Organisers may face legal liability if events are deemed unsafe. The background to this story is set out in Geelong Scraps Secret Concussion Deal with AFL Player. A related thread runs through Rugby Concussion Case: Key Questions Answered This Week.

Participants are urged to consider the risks, especially the potential for long-term neurological damage. The case highlights the importance of proper concussion protocols and informed consent. Earlier coverage in AFL Concussion Crisis: Geelong Waiver Exposes True Cost shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Rugby Concussion Case: Crucial Week Key Questions Answered.

FAQ

The debate over collision running and Power Slap is part of a broader conversation about violence and safety in Australian sport and society. As reported in coverage of Pauline Hanson’s rise inspiring racism, an inquiry hears, there are growing concerns about the normalisation of aggressive behaviour. Similarly, the NSW Liberal leaks report to powerbrokers, an ICAC inquiry hears, shows how inquiries can uncover uncomfortable truths.

These issues also intersect with debates about media influence and social responsibility. For instance, Pauline Hanson’s rise fuels racism, an inquiry hears, and Australia news: tech giants pay for news, Iran death penalty stand highlight how public discourse shapes policy. As the NSW inquiry continues, its findings could set a precedent for regulating dangerous sports and protecting participants from serious harm.