Understanding concussion in women’s football

Concussion is an emerging public health problem worldwide, particularly in contact sports such as Australian Football. In 2022, the Australian Government called for an urgent Senate inquiry into sports related concussion. The Australian Football League’s submission to the senate highlighted the lack of literature particularly in women and girls. In other sports, women suffer more concussion and have a greater burden (e.g. longer return to sport, worse symptom recovery). This research will aim to understand concussion injury mechanisms and risk factors to inform contact training activities and techniques to minimise head impact forces whilst maintaining performance in women’s Australian Football.