Bouncing a soccer ball off the head during play could be doing real damage to the brain, a new study suggests. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News
In the ever-evolving dialogue surrounding sports safety, a groundbreaking study unveils alarming insights: the act of “heading” a soccer ball might inflict severe, insidious harm on the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have illuminated the dark corners of this phenomenon, revealing disturbing changes within the brains of both male and female soccer athletes. These effects touch regions already linked to devastating conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
“The potential effects of repeated head impacts in sport are much more extensive than previously known and affect locations similar to where we’ve seen CTE pathology,” states Dr. Michael Lipton, a prominent figure in the field and professor of radiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. Together with a team of researchers, Dr. Lipton is set to unveil these findings at a forthcoming session of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago.
Historically, the realm of sports research has hinted that varied head impacts correlate with neurological maladies like CTE, as highlighted by the RSNA. However, Lipton’s latest investigation plunges deeper, employing cutting-edge MRI technology to scrutinize the brain’s intricate “microstructures.” The study encompassed 352 amateur soccer players, alongside 77 “non-collision” athletes, such as dedicated runners. Participants, aged 18 to 53, provided a diverse range of data.
Through this lens, the researchers noted specific transformations in the brain’s white matter, especially near the sulci—the intricate grooves traversing the brain’s surface. Such alterations bear resemblance to those witnessed in extreme cases of traumatic brain injury, suggesting a troubling parallel. The frontal lobe, pivotal for many cognitive functions, appeared particularly vulnerable among athletes engaging in frequent headers.
Moreover, those who frequently propelled the ball with their heads showed a propensity for what researchers described as “poor verbal learning.” Notably, a significant portion of participants had never officially been diagnosed with concussions or other forms of traumatic brain injuries. This unsettling revelation raises the specter that even the more subtle forces of heading might still wreak havoc on the brain’s health.
“Our analysis showed that the white matter abnormalities represent a mechanism by which heading leads to worse cognitive performance,” Lipton elaborated, underscoring the profound implications of the data. This research is not just an academic exercise; it offers a pathway to potentially safeguard athlete well-being.
Dr. Lipton emphasizes, “Characterizing the potential risks of repetitive head impacts can facilitate safer sport engagement to maximize benefits while minimizing potential harms.” As the next phase of their study unfolds—aiming to explore the intricate brain mechanisms at play—the hope is to uncover protective factors that could fortify against such hidden dangers.
As these findings are slated for presentation at a medical conference, they remain preliminary until rigorously peer-reviewed and published. Yet, they beckon the sporting world to reexamine the seemingly innocuous act of a soccer header.
More information
Discover further insights about CTE at the Mayo Clinic.
