Soccer
The Concussion Puzzle: 5 Compelling Questions
Authors: Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Source: Journal of Athletic Training
Sport-related concussion has received significant attention in recent years. Media coverage of multiple injuries to several high-profile athletes, some of whom were forced into retirement because of repeated concussions, has created a welcome awareness among sports medicine personnel and the general public. Many of the questions that researchers have failed to address in the past are now being studied. Despite the complexities associated with studying sport-related concussion, answers to some of the more intriguing questions are on the horizon.
Sex Differences and the Incidence of Concussions Among Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Tracey Covassin*; C. Buz Swanik†; Michael L. Sachs†
Source: Journal of Athletic Training 2003;38(3):238–244
In recent years, interest in concussion signs and symptoms, evaluation, and long-term sequelae has increased. However, in order to prevent concussions, we need to identify at-risk groups.
Head injuries in the female football player: incidence, mechanisms, risk factors and management
Authors: Jiri Dvorak, Paul McCrory and Donald T Kirkendall
Source: Br. J. Sports Med. 2007;41;44-46; originally published online 11 May 2007
Although all injuries in sports are a concern for participants, head injuries are particularly troublesome because of the potential for long-term cognitive deficits. To prevent any specific injury, it is important to understand the basic frequency and incidence of injury and then the mechanism of injury. Once these are established, prevention programmes can be tested to see if the rate of injury changes.
The Efficacy of Soccer Headgear
Authors: Steven P. Broglio; Yan-Ying Ju; Michael D. Broglio; Timothy C. Sell
Source: Journal of Athletic Training 2003;38(3):220–224
The potential for risks associated with chronic soccer heading has led some soccer leagues to mandate the use of soccer headgear. Although manufacturers have designed and promoted these headbands to decrease the forces associated with heading a soccer ball, their efficacy has not been tested. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of 3 brands of soccer headgear: Headers, Headblast, and Protector, as compared with a non-headband condition.
No neurochemical evidence for brain injury caused by heading in soccer
Authors: Henrik Zetterberg, Michael Jonsson, Abdullah Rasulzada, Cornel Popa, Ewa Styrud, Max Albert Hietala, Lars Rosengren, Anders Wallin and Kaj Blennow
Source: Br. J. Sports Med. 2007;41;574-577
There has been growing controversy about the possible injurious effects to the brain of repeated low-severity head impacts, such as when heading a football. However, there are few scientific data substantiating these concerns with direct evidence for neuronal damage in response to the impact.
Heading in Soccer: Integral Skill or Grounds for Cognitive Dysfunction?
Authors: Donald T. Kirkendall; William E. Garrett, Jr
Source: Journal of Athletic Training 2001;36(3):328–333
To critically review the literature concerning the effect of purposeful heading of a soccer ball and head injuries on reported cognitive dysfunction in soccer players.
Effects of heading exposure and previous concussions on neuropsychological performance among Norwegian elite footballers
Authors: T M Straume-Naesheim, T E Andersen, J Dvorak and R Bahr
Source: Br. J. Sports Med. 2005;39;70-77
Cross-sectional studies have indicated that neurocognitive performance may be impaired among football players. Heading the ball has been suggested as the cause, but recent reviews state that the reported deficits are more likely to be the result of head injuries.
Contact Sport Concussion Incidence
Authors: Beth A. Tommasone; Tamara C. Valovich McLeod
Source: Journal of Athletic Training 2006;41(4):470–472
This systematic review provides information on the incidence of concussion in athletes from various team and individual sports through a review of methodologically sound original research articles.
Brain injury and heading in soccer: Head to ball contact is unlikely to cause injury but head to head contact might
Source: BMJ VOLUME 327 16 AUGUST 2003 bmj.com
Whether repeated concussive or subconcussive blows cause permanent or cumulative brain injury is a complex and controversial question.
Doctors’ knowledge of exposure to ionising radiation
Source: BMJ VOLUME 327 15 NOVEMBER 2003 bmj.com
Shiralkar et al surveyed doctors’ knowledge of exposure to ionising radiation. That doctors are unaware of the actual doses from specific examinations is not surprising. However, rather than trying to remedy this deficiency, we should simply hammer home the message that all examinations involving irradiation should be properly justified clinically.