Sport & Exercise
In collaboration with:
Lifelong participation in sport and exercise has many benefits for supporting the health of your brain.
Our aim is to provide relevant information and resources to help you make informed decisions on the best ways to look after the health of your brain, before, during and after sport.
The resources below offer support for anyone interested in sport and exercise, whether you are a player, coach, or parent.
Online course for all sports, all abilities
This course has been developed in direct response to calls from athletes looking for evidence-based information to support brain health at all stages of life.
The two-week course is delivered by former elite athletes, Olympians and brain health experts and explores the benefits of exercise for brain health, practical strategies used by athletes and how to become a brain health advocate in your community.
The course is free and is open to current and former athletes, those involved in the field of sport, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in finding out more about the benefits of sport and exercise for building brain health!
"Brain Health in sport and exercise is an increasingly important area, and there are many known positive lifestyle actions we can take to support brain health for the long-term"
- Dr James Robson MBE, Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Rugby
Get INFORMED, Get INVOLVED, Get INSPIRED
Watch current players ask the experts about rugby and brain health.
Regular exercise and physical activity can help with managing many areas relevant to protecting your brain health. Click on the boxes below for advice and resources to help guide you.
Keep checking back for new content being added and also check out the further resources section at the bottom of this page. If you have suggestions for other areas that you’d like to see covered here contact us.
Use the resources here to help build your brain health toolkit
Brain Injury
What do we currently know about head injury, sport and dementia
Manage pain
What do we currently know about head injury, sport and dementia
Stop smoking
What do we currently know about head injury, sport and dementia
Nutrition
What do we currently know about head injury, sport and dementia
Lifelong learning
It's important to pick up new, challenging skills & interests
throughout life to keep our brains active. Why not learn a new language or musical instrument?
Social involvement
Stay sociable and keep connected. Why not explore volunteering with your local sports club?
Research Opportunities
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PREVENT Dementia
(UK & Ireland)
The PREVENT Dementia Rugby Cohort is looking for volunteers aged 40-59 who have played elite or professional rugby to take part
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Join Dementia Research
(UK)
Anyone can sign up to the Join Dementia Research register. The service matches you to studies you may be able to take part in online, nationally and in your local area
Brain Health Registry
(US)
The Brain Health Registry is open to everyone. Sign up, complete some online brain tests and help speed up the discovery of treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, PTSD, and other brain disorders
Join the community
Further Resources
Note: the information and tools listed on this sports & exercise page have been selected to help individuals understand and maintain their brain health. The information here does not replace any guidance given by other healthcare practitioners. If you have any concerns about changes in your memory or thinking abilities you should seek the advice of your GP.
