According to a recent study, repeatedly heading a soccer ball can cause brain damage. Researchers found that repeated “head shaking” may affect parts of the brain that are associated with conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disorder associated with repeated head injuries.

Dr. Michael Lipton, senior author of the study and professor of radiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, emphasized the potential long-term effects of such effects. “The potential effects of repeated head injuries in sports are much more widespread than previously known and affect the same locations where we have seen CTE pathology,” Lipton explained. “This raises concerns for delayed adverse effects of head impact.”

The findings are to be presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting in Chicago.

Changes observed in the brain of football players

Using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the research team examined the brains of 352 amateur soccer players aged 18 to 53. For comparison, 77 non-collision athletes, such as runners, were also studied. The scans revealed changes in the white matter of the brain near the sulci, deep grooves on the surface of the brain. These changes are typically seen in individuals with severe traumatic brain injuries.

Heading a football appears to be an important factor in these changes, which primarily affect the frontal lobe of the brain. The study found that in particular, players who more often headed the ball had lower verbal learning abilities.

Interestingly, most of the participants had no prior diagnosis of concussion or traumatic brain injury. This suggests that even minor, repetitive impacts to the head can have cumulative effects on brain health.

“Our analysis showed that white matter abnormalities represent a mechanism by which cognitive performance is impaired,” Lipton said.

implications for safe sporting practices

This research could impact how sports are played and managed. Lipton said understanding the risks associated with repeated head impacts can lead to safer practices. “Illustrating the potential Risk of repeated head injuries Safe sporting participation can be facilitated to maximize benefits while minimizing potential harms.”

The study team is continuing their work, focusing on the underlying brain mechanisms and identifying potential protective factors that may reduce these risks.

preliminary findings

Since the findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, they should be considered preliminary. However, they add to growing evidence that repeated head impacts, even those that do not result in diagnosable concussion, can pose significant risks to brain health.

This study underscores the importance of further research into how repeated minor head trauma affects athletes and how to protect them while maintaining the integrity of the sport.

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