Preventing CTE in Sport With Head Safe Football - Safeguarding Matters

In this episode of Safeguarding Matters, Jodi Evans talks to Lou Crawford, Brain Health Educator at Head Safe Football. 

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive, degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive head impacts. In a sport setting, repeatedly heading a ball can eventually lead to CTE. The symptoms can appear gradually, over the course of years. Plus, they can stay the same for years before getting worse.

Jodi and Lou discuss the risks of repetitive head impact in sport, and how footballers are particularly at risk.

They also talk about how cultural changes can help prevent head injuries in sport. Communication can play a big role here. For example, footballers will tell everyone if they hurt their hamstring. But they may not tell anyone if they have a headache, which can be an early symptom of CTE.

You can learn more about CTE on the Head Safe Football site.