Today's Edition
SYDNEY (AGENCIES)
Heading a soccer ball can cause subtle changes in the brain, even when no immediate symptoms or cognitive impairment are detected, new research has revealed.
The study is the first randomised controlled trial to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to assess the impact of heading on adult soccer players, according to a recent news release from the University of Sydney where the research project was undertaken.
Fifteen male players participated in the experiment, each heading a ball 20 times over 20 minutes, with balls launched at a constant speed to ensure consistency. MRI scans revealed measurable changes in brain chemistry, and decreased electrical conductivity in several regions, particularly those involved in motor control.
While none of the participants experienced short-term cognitive impairment, the findings add to growing evidence that even routine, symptom-free heading may disrupt brain cells at a microstructural level.
The research does not demonstrate a direct link between heading and dementia, but it highlights the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of repeated heading, said Nathan Delang, who led the research as a PhD candidate at Griffith University in Australia.
The researchers urged caution, particularly during training, and called for more research to determine whether these subtle changes accumulate over time and what implications they may have for players' health.
The findings come amid growing international moves to restrict heading in younger age groups. The Football Association in England has banned heading in training for children under 12, while the Premier League has issued guidance limiting headers to no more than 10 per training session per week.
Football Australia has announced the formation of a research task force comprising medical experts to review existing recommendations on heading and explore appropriate measures to reduce its frequency and intensity.
