Football Medical

Drake Football Study

10-Year Player Health Project

As part of its commitment to player health, FIFPRO is coordinating an unprecedented 10-year study to yield new insights into the health of footballers. Over a decade researchers will gather regular epidemiological information from 170 men's and women's players in various countries.

What you should know

A timely initiative

FIFPRO research shows that more than one in three active professional footballers suffer from mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, disturbed sleep and distress during their often short but intense careers.

A collaborative effort

Coordinated by FIFPRO, the Drake Football Study is seed-funded by The Drake Foundation and supported by Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Mehiläinen Hospitals in Helsinki and Turku, Finland and Push Sports in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Exploring the prominent health issues in football

Former footballers are also more likely to suffer from the effects of deteriorated knee joint cartilage. What's more, in cardiovascular health, there have been a series of devastating sudden deaths of apparently-healthy professional footballers. The study also aims to explore neurocognitive decline and a possible link to concussion.

News

New Drake Football Study findings unmask mental health symptoms in women's football

New findings from the Drake Football Study reveal 20 percent of professional women’s footballers experienced disordered eating over a 12-month period.

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