Heading footballs may cause more damage to brain than previously thought, new research warns

Heading footballs may cause more damage to the brain than previously thought, according to new research. A study conducted in the US indicates a connection between repeated head impacts and serious neurodegenerative diseases, even if there is no immediate injury. This revelation comes amidst a six-year campaign in Scotland to ban heading from the game due to concerns about long-term health implications for players.

Amanda Kopel, the widow of former footballer Frank Kopel who passed away from dementia believed to be triggered by heading the ball, has been a leading advocate in the push to eliminate headers from football. The research, carried out at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, utilised advanced MRI techniques to examine the effects of head impacts on the brain’s microstructure. Specifically, the study looked at the association between repetitive head impacts and a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Professor Michael Lipton, the senior author of the study, highlighted that the consequences of repeated head impacts in sport go beyond what was previously understood, affecting brain areas where CTE pathology is observed. The research revealed abnormalities in the brain’s white matter near sulci, deep grooves on the brain’s surface, particularly in football players who frequently headed the ball at high levels. These abnormalities, similar to those seen in severe traumatic brain injuries, were most evident in the frontal lobe of the brain – a region susceptible to damage from head trauma.

Furthermore, the study found that increased repetitive head impacts were linked to poorer verbal learning and cognitive performance, even in participants with no history of concussion or traumatic brain injury. This suggests that repetitive head impacts, without causing immediate serious injury, could still have detrimental effects on the brain. Professor Lipton emphasised the importance of understanding the potential risks of repeated head impacts to promote safer sports participation while minimising potential harm.

Amanda Kopel has been campaigning for a ban on ball heading in Scotland since 2018 and aims to see the practice phased out globally after the 2030 World Cup. The findings add to growing evidence supporting the link between football-related head impacts and neurodegenerative diseases, with a previous study indicating that ex-footballers are more likely to develop such conditions compared to the general population. Defenders, in particular, were found to be at a higher risk of dementia, with headers being identified as a significant factor.

In conclusion, the research sheds light on the far-reaching consequences of heading footballs and emphasises the need for measures to protect players from potential brain injuries in the long term. The study underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks associated with repetitive head impacts in sports, with a view to safeguarding the health and well-being of athletes.