Professor Jiri Dvorak, one of BJSM’s senior associate editors, shares his 17 years experience as the FIFA chief medical officer. He discusses

How FIFA have reduced injuries in football [1],

The evidence for football being a great medicine [2 a ,b]

‘Football for Health’ – FIFA’s successful foray into public health education in schools [3].

This is a terrific story of research turning into action – improved health for football players and football players contributing to improve the health of their society.

See also:

[1] Injuries and illness of football players during the 2010 FIFA world Cup http://bit.ly/11gDgdG

[2a] Executive summary: The health and fitness benefits of regular participation in small-sided football games http://bit.ly/17Mntpu

[2b] Give Hippocrates a jersey: promoting health through football/sport http://bit.ly/15DIc21

[3] ‘11 for Health’, a football-based health education programme for children: a two-cohort study in Mauritius and Zimbabwe http://bit.ly/13rSMVR

FIFA’s Professor Jiri Dvorak on ‘Medicine for Football’ and ‘Football for Health’