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| Research Title: |
Head injuries in youth soccer players presenting to the emergency department. |
| Type of Research: |
Publication Articles |
| Category: |
Preventative Techniques
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| Keywords: |
Ball Size
Head Injury
heading
Soccer
Young
Youth
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| Author(s): |
W Pickett, Streight S, K Simpson, R J Brison |
| Author(s) Bio Box: |
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| Release Date: |
23 February 2006 |
| Research Summary/Text: |
There has been concern over the role of heading as a risk factor for head and brain injury. Heading is purposeful use of the head to direct and control the ball during a game of soccer. It is difficult to teach and its execution requires considerable practice and skill.
This analysis examined youth soccer injuries over a six year period recorded by a Canadian injury surveillance system, with a specific focus on acute head injuries that presented for emergency medical care. Findings are intended to inform the medical debate over whether soccer ball heading is a practice that should be discouraged. The age group10-24 years was considered the most likely to sustain a head trauma from heading because of a high level of exposure to organised play combined with inexperience. Records of soccer injuries were abstracted from the injury surveillance dataset and eligibility criteria applied. Written descriptions of the circumstances surrounding each injury event were used to classify mechanical factors leading to injury.
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| Research Objectives: |
To undertake an epidemiological study using existing injury surveillance data of soccer related injuries and describe the mechanisms leading to head injury among young soccer players aged 10-24 years.
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| Research Outcomes: |
The occurrence of acute head injuries appears to be uncommon among soccer players aged between 10-24 years, and heading is rarely associated with acute injury. Where head injuries do occur they are generally associated with player to player contact, being struck by a kicked ball, or (more rarely) with a goal post.
A modest 13 % of soccer injuries were sustained to the head. Of these 24% were due to contact with balls. And of these, a very small 6% was due to heading.
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| Research Implications: |
Most head and other injuries were sustained during organised practices and games and involved collision or impact between players. Therefore there is a role for vigilance in rule enforcement and overly aggressive play by young people.
In young players nearly half of the head injuries sustained from ball contact were eye injuries. Smaller ball sizes used by younger age groups may play a role.
Prevention efforts should be directed towards education and training. A staged approach to instruction in the technique of heading is recommended and described.
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