Scientists believe that redesigning footballs could help reduce the impact of heading, following new research that reveals a previously unreported pressure wave energy transfer to the brain during this action. The study, backed by The Football Association and conducted by Loughborough University, indicates that the energy transfer from heading a football can be comparable to those documented in some military gunshots and blasts.
Research Findings
The research examined the impacts of various footballs used over the past century, utilizing an advanced surrogate head model at match speeds. A specialist pressure sensor was placed within the model to measure the energy transfer. The findings showed that the pressure wave energy transferred to the brain can vary significantly, with some footballs transferring energy up to 55 times greater than others.
Lead researcher Dr. Ieuan Phillips noted that the magnitudes measured in the study are concerning, particularly in relation to lower-level military blast studies. The amount of energy transferred depends on several factors, including the ball’s design, its speed, and whether it is wet or dry. Interestingly, the study found that leather balls used in previous decades did not necessarily produce higher energy transfer results than modern balls.
Implications for Player Health
Professor Andy Harland, a sports technology expert at Loughborough, stated that there is no clear trend indicating whether the magnitude of energy transfer has increased or decreased over time. He emphasized that high energy pressure wave transfer is not limited to leather balls, suggesting that the issue of neurodegenerative diseases related to heading is still relevant with modern footballs.
This research comes amid increasing scrutiny on the connection between heading and neurodegenerative illnesses in football. In January, a senior coroner indicated that repeated heading likely contributed to the brain disease of former player Gordon McQueen, who suffered from vascular dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) before his death in 2023. Similarly, former England striker Jeff Astle’s death was linked to neurological symptoms caused by heading footballs.
Dr. Phillips highlighted the potential for these findings to inform future ball designs and testing specifications aimed at minimizing energy transfer into the brain. He expressed hope that this discovery could lead to a better understanding of the causes of neurodegenerative diseases observed in retired players.
Football Associations’ Response
In light of these findings, The Football Association has implemented a phased ban on heading in under-11s football and is investing in research to better understand the issue. Guidelines have also been issued to clubs to limit high-force headers during training. The Scottish FA has taken further steps by banning heading the day before and after matches in professional adult games.
FA Chief Medical Officer Charlotte Cowie stated that this new independent research provides innovative insights and is part of an ongoing commitment to understanding this complex area. The results have been shared with FIFA and UEFA, emphasizing the need for a global approach to support further research on this important topic.
Source: Original report