“Heading” the ball, a common practice in soccer, may have detrimental effects on amateur players’ brain health, according to a recent study published in the journal Neurology. Researchers have found that players who frequently use their heads to pass or deflect a soccer ball are more prone to developing changes within the cerebral cortex, the brain’s wrinkly outer layer.
The study, led by Dr. Michael Lipton, a professor of radiology at Columbia University, highlights a correlation between these brain changes and poorer performance on cognitive tests. “People who experienced more impacts from headers had more disruptions within a specific layer in the folds of the brain, and these disruptions were also linked to poorer performance on thinking and memory tests,” Dr. Lipton explained in a news release.
Understanding the Impact of Headers
The research adds to growing concerns about the effects of sports-related head impacts and concussions on players’ brain health. For this study, researchers conducted brain scans on 352 amateur soccer players in the greater New York City area, alongside 77 athletes involved in non-collision sports. The average age of the soccer players was 26 years.
The participants were categorized into four groups based on the frequency of heading the ball. Those in the highest group averaged 3,152 headers annually, while the lowest group averaged 105 headers. The scans revealed significant changes in the white matter within the brain’s folds, known as the “depths of sulci,” particularly among those who headed the ball most frequently.
Key Findings and Implications
As the number of headers increased, disruptions in the white matter became more pronounced. These disruptions notably affected the orbitofrontal region of the brain, located just above the eye sockets. Cognitive tests showed that players with more white matter disruptions performed worse in learning and memory assessments.
“Our findings suggest that this layer of white matter in the folds of the brain is vulnerable to repeated trauma from heading and may be an important place to detect brain injury,” Dr. Lipton stated.
The study underscores the need for further research to explore the relationship between heading and brain health, aiming to develop methods for early detection of sports-related head trauma. “More research is needed to further explore this relationship and develop approaches that could lead to early detection of sports-related head trauma,” Lipton added.
Context and Historical Concerns
This study is part of a broader conversation about the long-term effects of head impacts in sports. Historically, attention has focused on American football and the risks of concussions, but soccer is increasingly scrutinized due to its global popularity and the frequency of headers during play.
In recent years, several sports organizations have implemented guidelines to limit heading in youth soccer, acknowledging the potential risks. The findings of this study may further influence policy changes and protective measures in the sport.
Expert Opinions and Future Directions
Experts in neurology and sports medicine emphasize the importance of balancing the benefits of physical activity with the risks of head impacts. Dr. Robert Cantu, a leading expert on sports concussions, suggests that “while soccer is a valuable sport for physical fitness and teamwork, understanding and mitigating the risks of heading is crucial for player safety.”
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons provides additional resources on sports concussions, advocating for awareness and preventive strategies. As the conversation around sports safety evolves, studies like this one play a critical role in shaping future guidelines and protecting athletes’ health.
As research continues, the sports community, including coaches, players, and medical professionals, must collaborate to ensure safe practices and informed decision-making in soccer and other contact sports.
