While a 2010 study1 [1] found no evidence that purposeful heading of a soccer ball leads to either short-term (acute) or cumulative brain damage, such as cognitive dysfunction, concussion experts nevertheless suggest that steps be taken to minimize the risk of concussive injury to youth soccer players, particularly younger players.
Among the recommendations:
MomsTeam's concussion expert, William P. Meehan III, MD [3], Director of the Sports Concussion Clinic at Children's Hospital Boston, and author of the 2011 book, Kids, Sports, and Concussion [4],2 agrees with the recommendation on age-appropriate balls, but not the delayed heading advice.
"Some have suggested that perhaps children should not be allowed to head the ball until they reach a certain age and have become stronger and better coordinated. I believe, however, this would be a mistake. As children become stronger and better coordinated, they are able to kick the ball at a much greater velocity. It seems unwise," he writes, "to have their first time trying to head a ball occur at an age when the ball can be kicked with significant speed and force."
"Instead," Dr. Meehan suggests, "using smaller, softer balls that weigh less while children are younger allows them to develop the skills necessary for proper heading of the ball. This seems like a safer approach. They can learn proper technique, develop strength, and master the timing and coordination necessary for proper heading of the ball when young, before they begin to play with an adult-size ball that can be kicked with significant force." Learning to head with a dry, soft, foam ball, also might be a useful way to start, he says.
1. Pediatrics, February 2010; 410-414
2. Meehan WP, Kids, Sports, and Concussion [4] (Praeger 2011).
Posted July 22, 2011
Links:
[1] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/544
[2] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/2521
[3] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/3526
[4] http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Spo
[5] https://mail.momsteam.com/users/meehanwpmd
[6] https://mail.momsteam.com/sports/soccer/safety/heading-soccer-ball-does-not-cause-brain-damage-study-says
[7] https://mail.momsteam.com/subconcussive/frequent-soccer-heading-linked-brain-damage-impaired-memory-study-finds