Heading a soccer ball repeatedly may injure the brain. Researchers detected microscopic changes in brain structure among players who headed the ball more than 1,000 times in a year. Memory scores were also lower in those who headed the ball more than 1,800 times annually.
During practice, players may head a ball 30 times or more in quick succession. During a game, a soccer ball is often moving at 50 miles per hour. Some players may head the ball a dozen times or more. The investigators call for research to develop strategies to protect the brain during soccer practice and games.
Keep in mind that these were not pros. They were high-level amateurs who loved the game. They had been playing for an average of 22 years.
What concerns is that a lot of young children are now soccer enthusiasts. Don’t get us wrong, we think soccer is a wonderful sport and we love it that kids are playing. But, what is the long-term impact of repeated ball heading on a young brain? Until we know more about this, perhaps kids should be enouraged to do less heading in practice.
[Radiology, online, June 10, 2013]
4/26/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/soccer-players-putting-their-brains-in-danger/
