Football Heading Research Articles

Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Menyundul dalam Permainan Sepakbola Melalui Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Team Games Tournament (TTG) Pada Siswa Kelas X SMA Negeri 7 Ambon

Heading the ball is one of the learning materials for the game of football. Students are required to have competence through understanding and the ability to practice basic head-to-head techniques. The purpose of this study is to determine the improvement of football heading learning outcomes through the TGT learning model in grade X students of SMA Negeri 7 Ambon. This type of research is classroom action research. The implementation of the action takes place in two cycles. The subjects of the study were 26 students in class X. Learning outcomes are determined based on the rubric of assessment of attitudes, knowledge and skills. The results of the study showed that the learning results of heading the ball in cycle I, there were 16 students who had completed or 68.56% with a total score of 1391.25. Meanwhile, 10 students did not complete or 25.80% with a total score of 662.46. In the second cycle, 26 students have met the KKM or (91.01%) with a total score of 2295.72. The results of this study can be concluded that the TGT learning model can improve the learning outcomes of basic dribbling techniques in football games in grade X students of SMA Negeri 7 Ambon.

Cognitive effects of heading in professional football: a systematic review.

Large cohort studies have reported that former professional football players have an increased risk of mortality from neurodegenerative disease. Due to emerging concerns regarding the safety of heading the technique is now banned for players under 12. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the association between heading exposure and cognitive function in professional football players. A search strategy was devised and entered into seven electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, SportDiscus and PEDro. The search identified 563 records. After screening records and applying the eligibility criteria, nine cross-sectional studies (n = 925) were included in the review, investigating 452 current and 473 former players (859 males, 66 females). Six studies (n = 595) reported evidence for an association between heading and impaired cognitive function, while three studies (n = 330) reported no association. Diverse cognitive domains were investigated, which might underline the disparity in these results. The association between heading and cognitive function in professional football appears likely but remains inconclusive. Methodological heterogeneity and variability in the presentation of results limits the conclusions drawn. Prospective longitudinal studies using standardised methods, and including females, are required to provide evidence to support or refute an association.

A prospective investigation of the effects of soccer heading on cognitive and sensorimotor performances in semi-professional female players.

Repetitive head impacts (RHI) from routine soccer (football) heading have been suggested to contribute to the long-term development of neurodegenerative disorders. However, scientific evidence concerning the actual risk of these RHI on brain health remains inconclusive. Moreover, female athletes-despite a presumably increased vulnerability toward the effects of RHI-are largely underrepresented in previous approaches. Therefore, our aim was to prospectively investigate the effects of heading on cognitive and sensorimotor performances, health perception, and concussion symptoms in semi-professional female soccer players. An extensive test battery was used to assess cognitive and sensorimotor performances as well as health status (SF-36) and concussion symptoms (SCAT3) of a total of 27 female soccer players (22.2 ± 4.2 years) and 15 control subjects (23.2 ± 3.0 years) before and after one-and-a-half years. Throughout this period, soccer players' heading exposure was determined using video analysis. Subgroup comparisons (control [n = 12], low exposure [n = 7], high exposure [n = 8]) showed no time-dependent differences in SF-36 or SCAT3 scores. Similarly, across most behavioral tests, soccer players' performances evolved equally or more favorably as compared to the control subjects. However, there were significant effects pointing toward slightly negative consequences of heading on aspects of fine motor control (p = 0.001), which were confirmed by correlation and multiple regression analyses. The latter, further, yielded indications for a relationship between heading exposure and negative alterations in postural control (p = 0.002). Our findings do not provide evidence for negative effects of soccer heading on female players' health perception, concussion symptoms, and cognitive performances over the course of one-and-a-half years. However, we found subtle negative alterations in fine motor and postural control that could be attributed to heading exposure. Other factors, like the number of previous head injuries, were not linked to the observed changes. Given the reduction of our initial sample size due to player fluctuation, the results need to be interpreted with caution and validated in larger-scale studies. These should not only focus on cognitive outcomes but also consider sensorimotor changes as a result of RHI from soccer heading.

Design validity and reliability of test instruments for measuring football heading accuracy and coordination

This study aimed to design, validate, and test the reliability of test instruments for measuring the accuracy and coordination of football headings. The research design employed a research and development approach based on the Gall and Borg developmental steps, which encompass needs analysis, product development, expert assessment, Group I test, Group II test, and the final product. A total of 100 male football players and 100 female football players participated in evaluating the design of the soccer heading skills test instrument. Three experts were invited to assess validity. Data analysis was performed using Aiken V to assess validity and Cronbach's alpha to assess reliability. The results indicated the following: (1) needs analysis, based on observation, found that football players' heading mastery was still low; (2) product design included numbered targets within the goal, comprising 10 points, the implementation of a header toss by the examiner during the heading test, and the specification of the heading zone; (3) the results of the validity test based on the expert's assessment showed an Aiken V value of 0.86 > 0.77 so that it was stated that the football heading test instrument was valid; (4) the test results for group I showed a reliability value of > 0.60 (0.878 for male players; 0.810 for female players) thus indicating consistency in the developed heading test instrument; (5) the test results for group II also showed a reliability value of > 0.60 (0.828 for male players; 0.802 for female players) thus indicating consistency in the developed heading test instrument; (6) the test results showed that the heading test instrument is valid and reliable so that the designed test becomes the final product. This heading test instrument can be used as a normative reference to measure the accuracy and coordination of football headings.

The Effect of the FIFA 11 + with Added Neck Exercises on Maximal Isometric Neck Strength and Peak Head Impact Magnitude During Heading: A Pilot Study.

BackgroundHigher neck strength has been postulated to reduce head impact magnitude during purposeful heading in football.ObjectivesThis pilot trial explored the effect of a neck exercise programme on (1) neck strength and (2) head impact magnitude during heading in male and female adolescent football players.MethodsBoys and girls (aged 12–17 years) were randomised by team to the intervention (5 weeks of supervised neuromuscular neck exercises integrated into part 2 of the FIFA 11 + , completed three times per week) or the control group (usual part 2 of the FIFA 11 + , no neck exercises). Outcomes included isometric neck strength and head impact magnitude (peak linear acceleration and peak angular velocity) during standardised heading from a throw-in (at baseline and 6 weeks) plus completion of an evaluation survey by intervention players and coaches.ResultsIn total, 52 players (n = 31 intervention; n = 21 control) completed the study. Mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in neck strength variables (p < 0.001), peak linear acceleration (p = 0.04) and peak angular velocity (p = 0.04) between the intervention and control groups over time. Intervention players demonstrated increases in mean composite neck strength (53.8% intervention vs 15.6% control) as well as decreases in mean peak linear head acceleration during heading (− 11.8% vs − 5.0%) from baseline to follow-up. Reduction in peak angular velocity was more pronounced in girls (− 27.7%) than boys (− 11.5%) in the intervention group. The addition of neck exercises into part 2 of the FIFA 11 + was feasible and accepted by players and coaches.ConclusionOn average, players who completed neck exercises demonstrated an increase in isometric neck strength and a decrease in head impact magnitude during heading. These exercises were easily incorporated into usual training.Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no: ACTRN12619001375145).Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40279-021-01564-0.

The incidence and mechanism of heading in European professional football players over three seasons.

There are concerns surrounding the risk of neurodegenerative diseases associated with football (soccer) heading. The aim of this study was to conduct analysis on the incidence and mechanism of heading in the "Big 5" professional European football leagues (Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Premier League, La Liga and Serie A) and one lower tier professional league (English Championship) from 2016/17 to 2018/19. Match event data from 7147 matches were obtained from Opta Sports data feed. The data were parsed to extract header event details including player position, coordinates on the field, header type and preceding match event (including distance football travelled). Incidence data were reported as headers per match or match headers per player. Medians and interquartile ranges (IQR) were reported and either the Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test were conducted for comparisons between positions and leagues. In the "Big 5" leagues, the most headers per match occurred during the Premier League (111.2 headers per match). However, the lower tier English Championship had the highest number of headers per match overall (139.0 headers per match). In all leagues, defenders had the greatest median number of match headers per player (P<.001). The highest median distance travelled by the football during a preceding match event was for goal kicks (57.5m; IQR 53.7-61.1). The findings add necessary information for current longitudinal studies aiming to understand the potential link between football heading and neurodegenerative diseases. These studies should account for league, playing position, and level of play.

The incidence and characteristics of purposeful heading in male and female youth football (soccer) within Australia

ObjectivesTo quantify the incidence and characteristics of purposeful headers and unintentional head impacts during male and female youth football (soccer) games in Australia. DesignCross-sectional observational study. MethodsTen match-videos (total n=110) per playing age (under 13–20 males; under 13–17 females) from the 2019 National Premier League season were coded for purposeful headers and unintentional head impacts. Total headers and head impacts as well as incidence rate (IR) per 1000 match-hours for different match characteristics were calculated. ResultsPurposeful headers accounted for 99% (n=4615, IR:1618) of total head impacts. The IR of purposeful headers per 1000 match-hours was highest for under-15 males (IR:2117) and under-17 females (IR:2090) followed by under-20 males (IR:1761). Midfielders completed the most headers in all female age groups (mean IR:713) and under 13–14 males (mean IR:891), with defenders completing the most headers in under 15–20 males (mean IR:760). Heading duels accounted for 16% of total headers with most headers performed during free play (68%), throw-ins (15%), free kicks (12%) and corner kicks (5%). Only 57 head impacts (IR:20) were coded as unintentional head impacts resulting from being struck by the ball or opponent body part with 4 (IR:1.4) requiring medical attention. ConclusionsHeading is a complex skill. Given the propensity of youth players of all ages to purposefully head the ball, consideration should be given to coaching heading technique based on specific game scenarios for their playing position and age group. The findings of this study can be used to inform heading guidelines.

Serum neurofilament light concentration does not increase following exposure to low velocity football heading

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate if heading frequency and impact biomechanics in a single session influence the concentration of serum neurofilament light (NF-L), a sensitive biomarker for axonal damage, up to 7 days after heading incident at ball velocities reflecting basic training drills. Methods: Forty-four males were randomized into either control (n = 8), 10 header (n = 12), 20 header (n = 12) or 40 header (n = 12) groups. Linear and angular head accelerations were quantified during heading. Venous blood samples were taken at baseline, 6 h, 24 h and 7 days after heading. Serum NF-L was quantified using Quanterix NF-L assay kit on the Simoa HD-1 Platform. Results: Serum NF-L did not alter over time (p = 0.44) and was not influenced by number of headers [p = 0.47; mean (95% CI) concentrations at baseline 6.00 pg · ml− 1 (5.00–7.00 pg · ml− 1); 6 h post 6.50 pg · ml−1 (5.70–7.29 pg · ml−1); 24 h post 6.07 pg · ml−1 (5.14–7.01 pg · ml− 1); and 7 days post 6.46 pg · ml−1 (5.45–7.46 pg · ml−1)]. There was no relationship between percentage change in NF-L and summed session linear and angular head accelerations. Conclusion: In adult men, heading frequency or impact biomechanics did not affect NF-L response during a single session of headers at ball velocities reflective of basic training tasks.

Force experienced by the head during heading is influenced more by speed than the mechanical properties of the football.

There are growing concerns about the risk of neurodegenerative diseases associated with heading in football. It is essential to understand the biomechanics of football heading to guide player protection strategies to reduce the severity of the impact. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of football speed, mass, and stiffness on the forces experienced during football heading using mathematical and human body computational model simulations. Previous research indicates that a football header can be modeled as a lumped mass mathematical model with elastic contact. Football headers were then reconstructed using a human body modeling approach. Simulations were run by independently varying the football mass, speed, and stiffness. Peak contact force experienced by the head was extracted from each simulation. The mathematical and human body computational model simulations indicate that the force experienced by the head was directly proportional to the speed of the ball and directly proportional to the square root of the ball stiffness and mass. Over the practical range of ball speed, mass, and stiffness, the force experienced by the head during football heading is mainly influenced by the speed of the ball rather than its mass or stiffness. The findings suggest that it would be more beneficial to develop player protection strategies that aim to reduce the speed at which the ball is traveling when headed by a player. Law changes reducing high ball speeds could be trialed at certain age grades or as a phased introduction to football heading.

The UEFA Heading Study: Heading incidence in children's and youth' football (soccer) in eight European countries.

To assess the real-life magnitude of the heading incidence in children's and youth' football in eight European countries with different "football cultures," a cross-sectional observational design, in which one match per team in 480 different teams from eight European countries (2017/18-2018/19), was recorded by video. One training session was recorded in 312 teams. Clubs with Under-10, Under-12 (female/male/mixed), and Under-16 female and male teams were eligible to participate. Heading frequencies and types were analyzed. Results are presented as headers per match/training and per team. Incidence rates (IR) per 1000 match/training hours were calculated. Under-10 teams carried out the lowest average number of headers per match (8.8), followed by Under-16 female (17.7), Under-12 (18.4), and Under-16 male (35.5). Total number of headers per match and team varied between countries. 80% of the total number of headers were single intentional headers, 12% heading duels, 3% unintentional headers by getting hit, and 5% others (trends apparent in all age groups). Three head injuries occurred during match play corresponding to an IR of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.23-2.16). The lowest number of headers per training and team was found in Under-10 (21.3), followed by Under-16 females (34.1), Under-12 (35.8), and Under-16 males (45.0). In conclusion, this large-scale study presents novel data about the number and type of headers in youth' football throughout Europe. A more precise understanding of the heading incidence, specifically in young players, is mandatory for the debate of restrictions on heading in youth football.

Head impact exposure in youth football-Are current interventions hitting the target?

Restrictions on heading in youth football have been implemented in some countries to limit head impact exposure. However, current interventions remain poorly guided by evidence. Our objective was to quantify heading exposure in youth football, assessing the effects of sex and age. Football matches played during an international youth football tournament with no heading restrictions were directly observed, including players from both sexes (11‐19 years). The elite senior level was included for comparison, using video analysis. All heading events were registered, classified, and assigned to individual players. Heading rates were calculated for each sex and age group. We observed a total of 267 matches, corresponding to 4011 player hours (1927 player hours for females, 2083 player hours for males). Males headed more frequently than females (2.7 vs 1.8 headers/player hour; P < .001). Heading rates increased with age (ANOVA, P < .001), approaching the elite senior level for players 16 years and older. There was substantial variation within teams for all age and sex groups, with the widest range (1‐18 headers) observed for girls aged 19. Girls younger than 12 years had the lowest exposure, with an average of <2 players per team heading the ball, each with 1‐2 headers. In conclusion, age and sex influence head impact exposure in youth football, and warrants careful consideration when introducing injury prevention measures. Males are more frequently exposed than females, heading rates increase with age, and there is substantial variation between players. Heading is a rare event in the youngest age groups, especially among females.

Examining neurocognitive performance and heading in interscholastic female football players over their playing careers

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of purposeful heading in football on measures of cognitive function in a large cohort of female interscholastic football players over the course of their playing career. 217 interscholastic female football players participated in this prospective analysis of football heading over a 4-year timeframe with headers being recorded during sanctioned matches throughout this time. Subjects were categorized into 3 different groups based on their total number of interscholastic career headers: low (< 100), moderate (100−199), and high (200+). Baseline and subsequent post-season neurocognitive performance measures utilizing the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) software were derived on all players along with a monitoring of concussion-related symptoms. Data were analyzed using a series of two-level growth curves. While there were a few subtle decreases in performance throughout the testing period, no significant differences in test scores occurred during the interscholastic careers of these female football players. While we hypothesized that differences in cognitive performance would degrade over the playing career, especially in the high header group, our results prove otherwise adding to the existing body of evidence recognizing no changes with these variables in other cohorts of football players.

Prevention of Head and Brain Injuries in Football: Is there a Need to Ban Headings?

Football, the most popular sports worldwide, is associated with a high number of injuries. Head and brain injuries in football are less frequent, but may result in severe long-term damage. The mechanisms of these injuries in football are multifactorial, and the ball is rarely the main cause of a head injury. Short-term, medium-term and long-term consequences of headings in football are insufficiently examined, and there are hardly any case reports about severe episodes. Heading has been banned in US junior football since November 2015, which is understandable considering the higher risk for head injuries in popular American sports such as ice hockey or American football and people's fear associated with this risk. However, the decision to ban heading in football is not based on scientific results, and different experiences have been made in European football. Therefore, this decision should not simply be transferred to Europe. In fact, other injury prevention strategies for head injuries in junior football are necessary, such as the adaptation of ball sizes, which has already been implemented. It is not necessary to change match rules in the form of a general ban on heading in football. Further scientific studies are needed for standardisation in football worldwide.

Injury risks of heading in young football players

Lukasek, M., & Kalichova, M. (2015). Injury risks of heading in young football players. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(Proc1), pp.S490-S499. The aim of the research is to contribute to findings concerning increasingly acute problems connected with heading in football. Unlike most of available studies where heading with adults is dealt with, our study focuses primarily on heading with children. 16 children aged 10, weighing 36.2 ± 4.7 kg took part in the research. Each tested person executed headings of a ball dropped from 0 m (3.13 m/s), 1 m (4.43 m/s) and 1,5 m (5.43 m/s) ie. 3 headings in total. The total number of tests was 48. A triaxial accelerometer (1000 Hz) was used in the measurements. As presumed, with increasing drop-height the head acceleration increased on impact. With drop-height of 0.5 m we recorded 59.4±15.8 m·s-2, with 1 m we measured 76.4±15 m·s-2 and 100.1±25 m·s-2 from 1.5 m. These acceleration values do not pose danger if individual, however, we came to conclusion that repeated impacts, especially those of higher speed, may lead to functional problems of a child's brain. Key words: ACCELEROMETRY, FOOTBALL, HEAD, CHILD

Do UK university football club players suffer neuropsychological impairment as a consequence of their football (soccer) play?

Male players from football and rugby clubs and sportsmen from a variety of noncontact sports clubs at a UK university were compared on biographical and neuropsychological test measures. A data analysis paradigm was developed and employed to control the inflation of Type 1 error rate due to multiple hypotheses testing. Rugby players sustained most head injuries in their chosen sport, but neuropsychological tests of attention, memory, and executive function provided no evidence of performance impairment attributable to the number of head injuries sustained or the football, rugby, or noncontact sport groups. Footballers' heading frequency was related to the number of football head injuries sustained, but no relationship was detected between footballers' heading frequency and their neuropsychological test performance. Following discussion of pertinent methodological limitations it is concluded that there was no evidence in this dataset of neuropsychological impairment consistent with either mild head injury incidence or football heading frequency. However, a need for further research examining the long-term neuropsychological consequences of such head injuries was identified.

Neuropsychological impairment as a consequence of football (soccer) play and football heading: A preliminary analysis and report on school students (13–16 years)

Footballers run the risk of incurring mild head injury from a variety of sources, including the intentional use of the head to play the ball, known as heading. This paper presents a preliminary exploratory analysis of data collected to examine whether cumulative incidence of mild head injury, or cumulative heading frequency, are related to neuropsychological functioning in male adolescent footballers. In a quasi-experimental cross-sectional design, neuropsychological test scores of school team footballers were compared with those of similarly aged rugby players and noncontact sport players. Cumulative mild head injury incidence was estimated using self-reports, and cumulative heading was estimated using a combination of observation and self-reports. No participants had sustained a head injury within 3 months of testing. There was no relationship between head injury and neuropsychological performance, and there were no decrements in either the footballers or the rugby players in comparison with the noncontact sport players. Within the footballers, cumulative heading did not predict any of the neuropsychological test scores. These findings indicate the absence of neuropsychological impairment arising due to cumulative mild head injury incidence, or cumulative heading. Although these null findings may be reassuring to players, parents, and football organizers, we stress that they are preliminary. Further data is being collected from the same populations to provide more reliable effect estimates.

Neuropsychological Impairment as a Consequence of Football (Soccer) Play and Football Heading: Preliminary Analyses and Report on University Footballers

Previous research has claimed neuropsychological impairment occurs as a result of professional and amateur football play, and, specifically, football heading. However, much of this research exhibits substantial methodological problems (Rutherford, Stephens, & Potter, 2003). By investigating less committed amateur level footballers, the current study sought to gain some insight into the developmental history of any neuropsychological consequences of football play. University football, rugby and noncontact sports players were compared on a range of biographical and neuropsychological test variables. While playing their chosen sports, rugby players sustained many more head injuries than footballers and noncontact sportsmen, but footballers did not sustain significantly more head injuries than noncontact sportsmen. The number of head injuries sustained predicted Trails B and TAP Divided Attention latencies in a positive fashion. After controlling for the number of head injuries sustained, sport group effects were detected with TAP Divided Attention accuracy scores, with footballers exhibiting poorest performance. After controlling for the number of head injuries sustained, the total amount of heading done by footballers predicted the number of Wisconsin Card Sorting category shifts in a negative fashion. Nevertheless, over interpretation of all of these results should be resisted because of the exploratory nature of the analyses and the possibility that the sport groups may differ in ways other than just the nature of their sports activities. This research was funded by the Wellcome Trust, Grant Ref: 054248.

The accuracy of footballers' frequency estimates of their own football heading

AbstractA number of studies have suggested that football heading is associated with neuropsychological impairment. However, analyses indicating such a relationship have employed footballers' subjective estimations rather than objective measures of their heading frequency. This is despite frequency estimation research suggesting that such subjective estimations would be inaccurate. In two studies examining the relationship between footballers' heading frequency estimates and their observed heading frequency, footballers' estimates were found to be inaccurate, but positively related to their actual heading frequency. However, there were differences in estimate accuracy between studies. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed and recommendations are made for studies examining the relationship between heading frequency and neuropsychological impairment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

The neuropsychology of heading and head trauma in Association Football (soccer): a review.

Association Football (soccer) is the most popular and widespread sport in the world. A significant proportion of the injuries suffered in football are head injuries involving trauma to the brain. In normal play, head trauma frequently arises from collisions, but some researchers have claimed that it also may arise as a consequence of heading the ball. Although assessments based on biomechanical analyses are equivocal on the potential for brain injury due to football heading, a growing literature seems to support the claim that neuropsychological impairment results from general football play and football heading in particular. However, this review suggests a distinction is required between the neuropsychological effects of concussive and subconcussive head trauma and that all of the neuropsychological studies conducted so far suffer from methodological problems. At best, a few of these studies may be regarded as exploratory. The review concludes that presently, although there is exploratory evidence of subclinical neuropsychological impairment as a consequence of football-related concussions, there is no reliable and certainly no definitive evidence that such impairment occurs as a result of general football play or normal football heading. The neuropsychological consequences of football-related subconcussive effects await confirmatory investigation.