Active professional women footballers who suffer three or more concussions may face significant challenges with attention span, according to a study released by FIFPRO.
The cross-sectional study, led by the world players’ union, examined 68 professional players to determine how head injuries affect brain function. While the research did not find widespread cognitive impairment across the group, a clear threshold emerged regarding repeated trauma.
Players reporting at least three concussions performed significantly worse on tasks requiring sustained attention compared to those with two or fewer. In a match environment, these deficits translate to difficulties tracking the ball and opponents, maintaining positional awareness, and reacting to rapid play.
“Generally, the study suggests that women footballers do not show widespread cognitive problems during their career, but repeated concussions might have a meaningful impact on attention,” said Prof. Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge, FIFPRO’s Medical Director.
The findings highlight a specific risk for defenders, who reported the highest exposure to head injuries. According to the data, 50% of defenders had sustained at least one concussion, while 43% of the total study group reported at least one such injury.
Participants completed online cognitive tests measuring memory, reaction time, and motor speed. Despite the concerns regarding attention, the athletes generally performed well. Players scored within the normal range for the general population in 11 of 12 cognitive domains. Notably, their motor speed—the time it takes the brain to send signals to the body—was above average, a trait the researchers attributed to the high neuromuscular demands of elite sport.
The study comes amid growing calls for better health data tailored specifically to female athletes. Women’s football has historically been underrepresented in sports science, and Gouttebarge noted that further research is required before the industry can introduce new health guidelines or protocols based on these findings.
For now, the results serve as a baseline for understanding the long-term health of active players. By identifying that attention is the primary area of concern after multiple hits, FIFPRO aims to better monitor player safety and cognitive longevity in a sport where physical contact is increasing.
