New research from the University of Sydney reveals that heading a soccer ball can induce changes in brain chemistry, even in the absence of concussion or cognitive symptoms.

While the immediate effects observed were less severe than those seen in dementia patients, co-author Danielle McCartney stressed the necessity for further investigation into the long-term implications of heading on brain health.

The study found that players who headed a ball 20 times in a controlled environment exhibited elevated levels of two proteins, GFAP and NFL, which are biomarkers linked to brain injury and potential dementia risk.

Despite no cognitive impairment being observed in participants, researchers concluded that heading can disrupt brain cells at a microstructural level without presenting obvious symptoms.

The findings have raised concerns about the potential links between heading and dementia, prompting calls for caution among players, particularly regarding heading practices in training.

In response to these concerns, some countries have already prohibited heading in training for junior players, and the English Premier League has limited players to heading the ball only 10 times per training session.

Football Australia has launched a project to review recommendations related to heading in youth football, aiming to minimize the incidence and impact of heading-related injuries.

Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom are also implementing restrictions on heading in youth soccer, while Australia is considering similar measures amid ongoing safety discussions.

Former soccer player Dean Windass has publicly shared his struggle with stage-two dementia, attributing part of his condition to a career spent heading the ball.

This study is notable as the first randomized controlled trial to utilize MRI scans to measure the impact of heading on brain function, comparing results with those from kicking a ball.

MRI scans revealed subtle changes in brain chemistry, particularly in areas related to motor control, and indicated decreases in electrical conductivity across several brain regions.

Lead researcher Dr. Nathan Delang emphasized that while the study does not definitively prove that heading causes dementia, it suggests that routine, symptom-free heading may still have implications for brain health.