Players from Southport Sharks’ elite teams have taken part in a world-first testing of a smartphone brain health app that can help identify concussions. The final pre-release trials for the hand-held BioEYE phone app, which followed comprehensive trials with the AFL and other major sporting codes, were supported by researchers from Griffith University ahead of the app’s release to market later this year. The trial comes as the Precinct’s reputation for developing Sportstech continues to grow ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The BioEye app tracks a user’s eye movement to assess their current brain health. The 60-second test uses artificial intelligence to measure and compare more than 20 ocular biomarkers that are invisible to the naked eye, to assess changes in brain function.
It has been clinically validated through earlier trials of a fixed ‘tabletop’ version, and to date has helped identify concussions with 100 percent sensitivity, with the Southport Sharks’ elite VFL and QAFLW sides the first users in the world to undertake a test-retest study using the mobile-only version.
Gold Coast-based BioEye CEO Richard Nash says the trial is a major step in screening for neurodegenerative conditions.
“BioEye is putting accurate brain health assessments in the palm of a user’s hand, using technology that sees what the human eye can’t,” says Mr. Nash.
“This world-first trial is critical in building a brain health database on a smartphone because recognising concussion is difficult – some people may have severe symptoms while others may be asymptomatic.”
“Importantly, BioEye goes beyond concussion. We want to harness the power of our technology to help screen for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, while ensuring our app is low cost and accessible to everyone, everywhere.”
Southport Sharks General Manager of Football Operations, Jarrod Field says the club was eager to support the trial to both promote player wellbeing and nurture the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct’s sports technology offering.
“The health and safety of our players is of paramount importance to us. The BioEye platform is vital to our game—in fact it’s vital to every sport with a contact element—so of course it’s something we’re proud to support,” says Mr Field.
“Putting a tool this powerful in the hands of athletes at any level of competition is frankly a game-changer in the fight against concussion.”