A risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) exists with any contact sport, including soccer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are about 135,000 emergency room visits each year due to sports and recreation-related head injuries in children aged 5 to 18. The normal course of a soccer game may increase your risk of TBI, especially if you regular heading the ball during a match. Heading is the practice of propelling the ball forward using your head and not your hands for a legal hit.
Heading and Brain Injury
A study conducted by M. Asken and R. Schwartz of Pinnacle Health at Polyclinic Hospital and published in the November 1998 issue of the journal, "Physician and Sports Medicine," found that while the soccer ball can exceed speed of 70 mph, it does not compare to the greater force of other sports such as boxing. Proper heading technique is essential for distributing the force and preventing TBI. Repeated head trauma increases the risk for developing dementia pugilistica, a form of degenerative brain disease. A concussion is a form of trauma frequently seen in contact sports.
Concussions
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head. You may or may not lose consciousness as a result. You may experience confusion, dizziness or amnesia, explains MayoClinic.com. Most concussions are not serious, but adolescents will typically take longer to recover. In addition, the risk for another concussion increases with a previous history of brain trauma.
Link Between Soccer and Dementia
Other forms of brain injury such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have a long history of association with boxers. CTE is a degenerative disease affecting memory and judgment. However, this form of dementia is also being seen more commonly in other athletes, including soccer players. A major risk factor is repeated head injuries. According to Asken, estimates of the times in which a soccer player heads a ball is between 5 to 9. Each time this occurs, the risk for TBI exists.
Other Risk Factors
Other factors increase the risk for concussions on the soccer field. Many injuries involve collisions on the field, whether it be with another player, the goal post or the ground. A February, 2010, study published in the journal, "Pediatrics," by Chris G. Koutures and colleagues of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness found that sports-related injuries are more common in soccer than other contact sports. The risk of dementia increases with the incidence of TBI, which is common in the sport.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Concussion in Sports
- "Physician and Sports Medicine"; Heading the Ball in Soccer: What's the Risk of Brain Injury?; M. Asken and R. Schwartz; November 1998
- MayoClinic: Concussions - Symptoms
- Boston University: What is CTE?
- "Pediatrics"; Injuries in Youth Soccer; C. Koutures et al; February 2010
