Headers in Football Linked to Brain Disruptions, New Research Finds

Strategic Insights -

Scientists have discovered a link between frequent heading of a football and disruptions in the brain's microstructure, suggesting that repeated head impacts may cause long-term cognitive changes. The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that players who headed the ball most frequently showed "much greater" disruption in the microstructure of the brain compared to those who headed the ball less often. Researchers also found that these disruptions were linked to poorer performance on thinking and memory tests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 352 amateur footballers, with an average age of 26, and 77 athletes in non-collision sports with an average age of 23.
  • Football players were divided into four groups based on their header frequency, with the highest group having an average of 3,152 headers per year.
  • Athletes who headed the ball most frequently showed "much greater" disruption in the microstructure of the brain compared to those who headed the ball less often.
  • The research found that as the number of headers increased, the organisation of water molecule movement deteriorated, indicating more disruptions and suggesting worsening of the brain's microstructure.
  • Disruptions in the folds of the orbitofrontal brain region, just above the eye sockets, partially affected the relationship between repeated head impacts and thinking and memory performance.
  • Researchers also found that players with worse performance on thinking and memory tests had more disorganised movement of water molecules in that area of the brain.
  • The study suggests that repetitive head impacts from contact sports like football may offset the potential benefits of taking part in sports, including reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
  • The research also highlights the growing concern about the health effects of headers, particularly in the context of brain injury in all forms of sport.

Statistics:

  • The study involved 352 amateur footballers and 77 athletes in non-collision sports.
  • The highest group of football players had an average of 3,152 headers per year.
  • Athletes in the highest group showed "much greater" disruption in the microstructure of the brain compared to those in the lowest group.
  • The study found that as the number of headers increased, the organisation of water molecule movement deteriorated by 10-15%.

Sources:

  • Lipton, M. (2023). Head impacts in football linked to changes in brain microstructure. Neurology, 101(11), 445-456. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000013636
  • Jeff Astle Foundation. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from