What is next following the FIELD study? An interview with Willie Stewart

Written by Sharon Salt, Senior Editor
Injury, trauma and infection Interviews Neurodegeneration and degenerative disease

Co-funded by the Professional Footballers’ Association Charity, the FIELD study (Football’s InfluencE on Lifelong health and Dementia risk) is the first to determine that professional football players have an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease and dementias. Initial results from the research, which was led by Willie Stuart (University of Glasgow, UK), indicated that ex-football players who were involved in the study had a 3.5-times higher risk of neurodegenerative disease.

In this interview we caught up with Willie to find out more about the FIELD study, including what challenges still need to be addressed within the field. Willie also provides his thoughts on sporting regulations and advice for parents with children playing football.

Want to learn more about research in concussion in sport? Have a look at our partner not-for-profit, The Drake Foundation, www.drakefoundation.org 

Questions on the FIELD study:

00:05 – Can you tell us about the FIELD study and the findings you recently published?

00:53 – What are your next steps?

01:28 – What challenges still need to be faced in this field of research?

01:54 – Given your findings, do you think we need a shift in sporting regulations?

02:36 – What advice would you give to a parent with a child playing football?

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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Neuro Central or Future Science Group.