References & Sources

Heading for Injury?
The danger of heading soccer balls remains up in the air

Although several small studies suggest that soccer-related concussions and repeated heading of soccer balls may cause slight mental deficits, the issue remains controversial.

References:

Matser, E.J.T., et al. 1999. Neuropsychological impairment in amateur soccer players. Journal of the American Medical Association 282(Sept. 8):971.

Symons, D.A., and D.A. Abwender. 1999. Evidence of neuropsychological impairment in soccer athletes. 107th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. August. Boston.

Further Readings:

Witol, A.D., and F.M. Webbe. In press. Soccer heading frequency predicts neuropsychological deficits. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Sources:

David A. Abwender
State University of New York, College at Brockport
Department of Psychology
350 New Campus Drive
Brockport, NY 14420

Eric J.T. Matser
St. Anna Hospital
Department of Neuropsychology and Sports Neurology
P.O. Box 90
5560 AB Geldrop
The Netherlands

Danielle A. Symons
University of Florida
Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences
P.O. Box 118205
Room 119 Florida Gym
Gainesville, FL 32611-8205

From Science News, Vol. 156, No. 22, November 27, 1999, p. 348. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.