Researchers say that RUGBY players are twice likely to develop dementia from the repeated head blows they receive.
While ex-internationals lived longer than the average life expectancy, their rates of illness were 2.2 times greater than non-players.
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Both the forward and back were equally affected.
Parkinson’s disease is three times more common while motor neurone disease, although rare, is 15 times as common.
The results are from a Glasgow University study that compared 412 former Scottish players with 1,236 other non-players.
It is becoming increasingly clear that even small bumps can have huge consequences years later.
Professor Willie Stewart said: “We’re finding over and over again that head injury and head impact exposure in sport increases your risk of neurodegenerative disease.
“It’s a risk that we need to do something about.
“The modern game has just seen the head impact risk go up and up, as far as I’m concerned.
“Precautions should be adopted. I wouldn’t stop children playing but I would ask the coach about injuries.
“If they don’t understand, go to the next club.”