Head in the Game

The aim of the Head in the Game project is to evaluate and improve long-term health in elite female athletes with a particular focus on football players. The main question we seek to answer is: does a professional sports career have any consequences on the musculoskeletal or neurocognitive health of former athletes?

Why is this project important?

While many studies have investigated acute sports injuries, few have evaluated long-term health consequences of a professional sports career. Particularly, the potential effect of head impact injuries on the development of late life neurologic or mental diseases remains controversial. The Head in the Game study is an important step towards closing the current knowledge gap. Based on the results, we will be able to make evidence-based recommendations to improve the long-term health of current and future elite athletes.

How does it work?

Phase 1 – In a first step, we will survey former elite football players, elite athletes from non-contact sports and control persons on their current health and injury history using an anonymous online questionnaire.

Phase 2 – In a clinical follow-up study, we will investigate the association between previous injuries and long-term health in detail using different examination methods, such as neuroimaging and MRI.

The Head in the Game project is an international, multicenter study, which will be launched in the Netherlands, USA, and Germany. We need your support to make this investigation a success!