Symptoms of central nervous system disorder due to soccer heading

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, Islamic Azad University Bandar-e Lengeh Branch, Hormozgan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sports Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sports Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. Bandar-e Abbas. Iran.

Abstract

Background and Aim: During heading, soccer players purposefully hit the ball with an unprotected head. Heading can lead to a wide range of nervous system disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the symptoms of centeral nervous system (CNS) disorder caused by heading.
Materials and Methods: The 2w-HeadCount Questionnaire was used to count the number of head-to-ball kicks. Collected data from 52 football players (30 U-21 players with a mean age of 19.21±1.10 and a mean experience of 4.37±1.03 years and 22 retired footballers with a mean age of 44.59±1.22 and a mean experience of 18.14±1.81 years) were compared.
Results: From 16660 exposure sessions per year (training and matches), 89384 headings and 249 symptoms of CNS disorder were observed. The results showed that the incidence rate was 90.62 heading per 1000 hours exposure. Defenders reported the highest number of heading. The number of heading per year was not significantly different between play positions (P=0.698). The incidence of head impacts was 0.55 in match and 0.45 in training (0.82 mild and 0.18 moderate and higher severity). Retirees have experienced more of these symptoms in match and U-21 in practice. The incidence of head injuries due to non-heading mechanisms was significantly different between U-21 and retired footballers (P=0.00).
Conclusion: The results showed that the incidence rate of heading technique in Iranian footballers is high. It is estimated that Iranian footballers perform heading above the concussion threshold. Therefore, the need to implement restrictive guidelines in young footballers is suggested.

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Journal for Research in Sport Rehabilitation
Volume 11, Issue 21 - Serial Number 21
September 2023
Pages 29-39

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