New Study: Heading a Soccer Ball Does the Most Damage to the Area of the Brain Critical for Cognition
Researchers at Columbia University recently determined that frequent soccer heading can cause changes in the brain, especially in the orbitofrontal cortex, the outermost brain layer just behind the forehead and linked to cognition.
These changes are characterized by damage to the white matter and a "blurring" of the junction between gray and white matter, affecting learning, memory and other cognitive functions.
The impact is cumulative and can happen even without a concussion diagnosis. This goes for soccer players of all ages; athletes who might have never reported a concussion could still have subtle brain changes from frequent heading of the ball.
Even with the lighter balls that are used today, heading still jars the brain and can lead to subtle learning and memory deficits, though the impacts do not cause concussions. Until recently, no studies had identified which specific part or area of the brain is most affected by heading a soccer ball.
Imaging analyses developed by Columbia researchers have now determined that the outermost brain layer just behind the forehead does, in fact, sustain the most damage from heading. Findings were published in the journals: Neurology and JAMA Network Open. **See below for links.
The study involved a group of 352 players who tallied more than a thousand headers per year. Each of them had greater microstructural damage in white matter near the brain’s cerebral sulci in the orbitofrontal cortex. This damage was associated with small but measurable declines in memory and learning.
Repeated, seemingly mild impacts to the head can have a snowball effect over time – with new advanced imaging methods, scientists can better observe that this area of the brain. “What’s important about our studies is that they show, really for the first time, that exposure to repeated head impacts causes specific changes in the brain that, in turn, impair cognitive function,” said Michael Lipton, MD, PhD, professor of radiology and biomedical engineering at Columbia University.
Beyond these findings, the latest studies can also provide researchers with (1) imaging tools and updates needed to detect these brain injuries, (2) understand more about the ways repetitive head impacts affect the brain, and (3) develop treatments and protocols.
Does this mean stop playing soccer? Or not head the ball while playing the game?
No, it does not. Some amount of heading is safe for most soccer players – for example, the findings looked at athletes that only headed the ball twice a week and they had brains similar to those that never headed a ball before. The impact is going to vary between individuals – their bodily makeup, concussion history. “…person who only occasionally heads the ball, but carries a genetic risk, may experience comparatively large effects, while a person without the genetic risk could head the ball dozens of times a week, but experience few effects.” Milton notes.
Of course, all physical activity carries both risks and benefits. Play the game the right way, have fun and – as is always the case with competitors – you have to play without fear (as that will make you hesitate, not be your best…and often IS when injury occurs). Be aware of not only concussion symptoms - even absent a conclusive diagnosis – but of how your brain and head feels. Listen to your body, take a break (or stop) as necessary.