Heading football alters brain chemistry

A new Australian study published in Sports Medicine–Open reveals that heading a football can alter brain chemistry even if it doesn’t cause concussion.

 

Football, the world’s most popular sport, has been linked to a higher incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s among former professional players. In the study, researchers examined 15 male football players using MRI scans to assess changes in brain structure, function and chemistry shortly after they headed a football 20 times over a 20-minute period. The balls were launched at a consistent speed from a machine. As a comparison, participants also completed a round of kicking the ball. Blood samples and cognitive function tests were also assessed.

 

Blood tests showed elevated levels of two proteins linked to brain injury and long-term dementia risk: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light (NFL). However, these increases were significantly smaller than those typically seen in such situations.

 

None of the players showed any signs of cognitive impairment after heading.

 

“These findings suggest that even routine, symptom-free heading can produce subtle changes in the brain,” the study cautioned. “We are adding to calls for football players to exercise caution and perhaps consider whether extensive heading is necessary, particularly in training.”

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