VOLUME LXXVII | MAY 2023

The Safety of Soccer Heading in Youth Players Assessed in a New Study

Soccer heading has been compared to the act of throwing a ball in terms of its potential impact on brain health. While professional players have shown long-term negative effects, a recent study focused on teens found that a small number of soccer headers, equivalent to throw-ins, did not immediately impact their brain health. This suggests that limited exposure to heading in youth soccer, when players are properly trained, may not cause permanent damage. The study raises questions about the threshold at which repeated soccer heading becomes harmful, as well as the importance of proper training techniques. To dig deeper into this research and stay informed on youth soccer safety, check out the full article!

Margaret Campbell

Margaret is a Scottish-Canadian educator and bioethicist from Alberta, focusing on ethical considerations in human enhancement technologies. She authors pieces on balancing ambition with moral integrity, rooted in her clan's emphasis on community and perseverance.

Repeatedly heading a soccer ball has been previously associated with negative long-term brain health for professional players. However, a new study found that a small number of repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological deficits for teens, suggesting that limited soccer heading exposure in youth sports may not result in irreversible harm if players are properly trained.
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