CHOP Researchers Comprehensively Assess the Safety of Using Your Head in Youth Soccer
PHILADELPHIA, May 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Repeatedly heading a soccer ball has been previously associated with negative long-term brain health for professional players. However, in a new study from researchers at the Minds Matter Concussion Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), a small number of repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological deficits for teens, suggesting that limited soccer heading exposure in youth sports may not result in irreversible harm if players are properly trained.
- The findings, which represent the most comprehensive real-time study of soccer headers in adolescent athletes, were published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering .
- For some professional athletes, repeated head loading in sports – using your head as part of the game – is associated with negative long-term brain health even when there are no initial clinical symptoms.
- Despite the awareness of long-term consequences, short-term neurophysiological issues after repeated head impacts like soccer heading are poorly understood in youth athletes.
- The study did not assess the safety of regular soccer headers over the course of a season or scholastic career.