Our Service
Why do we care about brain health for women in sport?
As women continue to excel and push boundaries in sports, it is crucial for sports clubs to concentrate on the brain health of female athletes. The unique physical demands of contact sports, such as rugby, football, boxing and mixed martial arts, bring significant risks to brain health. Contact sports inherently carry the risk of head injuries, including concussions, which can lead to long-term neurological effects.
Current research suggests that women may be more susceptible to certain brain injuries than men. Hormonal differences, anatomical features, and even variations in neck strength may contribute to higher risks of concussion, more severe consequences and prolonged recovery. Understanding these gender-specific factors is crucial for sports clubs in implementing more effective safety protocols for female athletes.
Ensuring that women athletes receive the necessary education, resources, and protections is essential to fostering their long-term health, safety, and performance.
What Do We Offer?
Developing a Supportive Culture
Supporting the brain health of women in sport involves not only providing medical care but also creating a safe and supportive environment where athletes feel comfortable reporting injuries or concerns. Women athlete may be more likely to underrecognise or underreport injuries. Promoting a culture of open communication and emphasizing that mental and physical health are top priorities can help mitigate this issue. We work alongside clubs and athletes to develop an environment where brain health is openly discussed and a collaborative support plan is developed.
Educational Sessions
Education plays a pivotal role in brain health management. Coaching staff, players, and medical staff should be equipped with knowledge on supporting brain health for women, as well as the signs and symptoms of concussions, and the long-term risks associated with repeated head injuries.
We support sports clubs foster a culture where brain health is prioritized, with educational sessions that focus on reducing general risks to the brain health for women, alongside considerations for injury recognition and recovery. We provide female athletes with information about supporting brain health, discuss concussions and the impact of contact sport on the brain and provide guidance and advice to keep their brains healthy.
Assessment
Brain health doesn’t stop at the field. We support clubs to consider the long-term brain health of women and help monitor athletes’ brain health over time. We offer cognitive assessments for women athletes, especially for those who have suffered previous concussions, to assess cognitive function and track any changes over time.
Interventions
Brain health interventions are strategies and lifestyle modifications which aim to maintain and improve cognitive function. These focus on keeping the brain working well now and later in life. These include exercises both within and outside of sports and can include a range of mental stimulation activities and lifestyle changes. These interventions aim to promote long-term brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Education
Bespoke sessions providing knowledge on supporting brain health for women in sport, concussion risk reduction and guidance for injury recognition and recovery.
Assesment
Detailed cognitive assessments to investigate current cognitive function, identify a baseline of cognitive skills, and the option to look for cognitive changes over time.
Intervention
Indvidualised advice, strategies and lifestyle changes to maintain and improve cognitive function, aiming to promote long-term brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Welcome to
BrainWaves
Brain Health for Women in Sport
We specialise in providing tailored education, assessment, and intervention to support brain health for women in contact sports. Our expert team of clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists is dedicated to helping managers, coaches, and athletes optimise cognitive wellness, ensuring that every player stays at their best—both on and off the field.