#031 Sports medicine series - Dr Kerry Peek Concussion in women's football

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Women's Football Hub Podcast – Heading, Concussion & Brain Health in Football with Dr. Kerry Peek

🎙️ Host: Carolyn Kent
🎙️ Guest: Dr. Kerry Peek – FIFA Medical Researcher in Brain Health, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, Former Council Chair at Sports Medicine Australia

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Women’s Football Hub Podcast, host Carolyn Kent speaks with Dr. Kerry Peek, a leading expert in brain health, heading, and concussion in football. Dr. Peek is currently working as a FIFA medical researcher, focusing on injury prevention and brain health in football.

The conversation explores:
✅ The latest research on heading and concussion in football
✅ Differences between male and female players in heading incidents and injuries
✅ The short-term and long-term risks of heading and head injuries
✅ Why inexperienced players are at higher risk of injury
✅ The importance of coaching heading as a skill to reduce injury risk
✅ What coaches, parents, and physios need to know about concussion
✅ Why helmets & scrum caps don’t prevent concussion

Key Takeaways

🔹 Heading is a skill that must be taught properly – Poor technique and lack of coaching increase injury risk.
🔹 Timing, vision, and awareness are crucial – Players who close their eyes before impact are at a higher risk of injury.
🔹 Women and girls are more likely to be injured by the ball than men – Dr. Peek's research explores why this happens.
🔹 Concussions are preventable – Up to 70-80% of head injuries could be avoided through proper technique and decision-making.
🔹 Physiotherapists & coaches need better concussion education – If in doubt, sit them out!
🔹 Helmets and scrum caps do NOT prevent concussion – The brain still moves inside the skull during impact.

Resources Mentioned

📚 FIFA Brain Health & Heading Research – Stay updated on FIFA’s latest studies.
📲 Follow Dr. Kerry Peek on LinkedIn to learn more about her research and projects.
📊 Upcoming FIFA Research Database – A global resource for heading and concussion studies.

Follow & Connect

📌 Follow Women’s Football Hub Podcast for expert insights into female football performance and injury prevention.
📌 Tag a coach, player, or physio who needs to hear this!

🎧 Listen now – Available on all major podcast platforms!

#WomensFootballHub #FootballScience #ConcussionAwareness #BrainHealth #WomenInSport #HeadingSafety #SportsPhysio #InjuryPrevention