Study Examines Brain Injury Risks in Women’s Rugby Players

Published: 24 May 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online
A pioneering scientific study is under way in Wales that aims to better understand how repeated head impacts in women’s rugby affect the brain, addressing what researchers describe as a major gap in medical knowledge compared with the men’s game.

While the long-term risks of concussion and repetitive head trauma in male contact sports have been widely documented, experts say far less is known about how similar impacts affect female athletes, despite the rapid growth of women’s rugby worldwide.

Researchers at Cardiff University are leading the project, which is tracking players from the university’s women’s rugby team over the course of a season. The study combines data from instrumented mouthguards, cognitive testing, MRI brain scans and advanced computer modelling to assess both immediate and long-term neurological effects of head impacts.

The project is the first of its kind to integrate all four research methods on the same group of female athletes, according to the research team, and is expected to continue until the end of 2026.

Dr Peter Theobald, who is leading the study, said women’s sport has historically been under-researched and that most existing concussion data is based on male athletes, despite physiological and biological differences that may influence risk levels.

He explained that while some evidence suggests female brains may respond differently to concussion and subconcussive impacts, there is currently no comprehensive dataset specific to women’s rugby to confirm the extent of any differences in long-term risk.

The research focuses on the possibility of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head injuries. Previous studies in men’s rugby and football have indicated increased risks of neurodegenerative diseases among long-term players, but comparable female-specific data remains limited.

At present, elite-level concussion protocols in women’s rugby are still largely based on thresholds developed for men, with only minor adjustments, something researchers say may not adequately reflect biological differences.

Players involved in the study have welcomed the initiative, saying it provides reassurance that the sport is taking brain health more seriously. Several participants described the experience of undergoing MRI scans and cognitive assessments as demanding but important for the future of women’s sport.

The research also highlights broader gaps in sports science, where only a small proportion of studies focus specifically on female athletes. Experts involved in the project argue that this lack of data affects not only safety protocols in rugby but also wider issues such as protective equipment design and injury prevention strategies.

Beyond head injuries, the study is also examining other aspects of female athlete health, including the impact of fatigue, musculoskeletal strain and hormonal cycles on performance and injury risk. Researchers say topics such as breast injuries in contact sport remain significantly under-researched and often under-reported.

As women’s rugby continues to grow in popularity across the UK and internationally, with hundreds of clubs now fielding female teams, experts say the urgency of closing the research gap is increasing.

The findings of the Cardiff University study are expected to contribute to future safety guidelines and may eventually influence concussion protocols in women’s rugby at both amateur and professional levels.

For players involved, however, the motivation is personal as much as scientific. Many say they want to ensure future generations of female athletes can play the sport with a clearer understanding of the risks and better protection in place.

One participant summed up the sentiment shared by many in the squad, saying that while injuries remain a concern, the chance to contribute to meaningful change makes the effort worthwhile.