Soccer Heading & CTE: Brain Damage Study
- A new study suggests that repeatedly heading a soccer ball may lead to more brain damage than previously understood.
- Lipton, M.D.,Ph.D., radiology professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, noted the potential for more extensive effects from repeated head impacts than initially thought.
- Researchers, including Lipton, used diffusion MRI, an advanced brain imaging technique, to analyze the brains of 352 amateur soccer players, both male and female, aged 18 to 53.They...
A groundbreaking study reveals that soccer heading may cause brain damage,a concerning connection for both amateur adn professional players alike. Researchers found a link between repeated head impacts and white matter abnormalities, possibly impacting cognitive function—a serious progress in the world of CTE. The research, conducted using advanced brain imaging, examined hundreds of athletes, highlighting the potential for long-term damage even without a history of concussions. This study, available now on News Directory 3, sheds light on the need to reassess safety protocols within contact sports to minimize potential harm from repetitive head impacts.Discover what’s next for player safety.
soccer Heading May Cause Brain Damage, Study Finds
Updated June 09, 2025
A new study suggests that repeatedly heading a soccer ball may lead to more brain damage than previously understood. The research, set to be presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, explores the potential link between soccer heading, repeated head impacts and neurodegenerative diseases.
Michael L. Lipton, M.D.,Ph.D., radiology professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, noted the potential for more extensive effects from repeated head impacts than initially thought. “The potential effects of repeated head impacts in sport are much more extensive than previously known and affect locations similar to where we’ve seen CTE pathology,” Lipton said. He expressed concern about possible delayed adverse effects.
Researchers, including Lipton, used diffusion MRI, an advanced brain imaging technique, to analyze the brains of 352 amateur soccer players, both male and female, aged 18 to 53.They compared these scans to those of 77 athletes who participated in non-collision sports like running.
The study revealed that soccer players who frequently headed the ball showed abnormalities in the brain’s white matter, specifically near the sulci, or deep grooves, on the brain’s surface. These abnormalities, typically seen in severe traumatic brain injuries, were most noticeable in the frontal lobe, an area prone to trauma during soccer heading. Researchers also linked repetitive head impacts to poorer verbal learning.
“Our analysis showed that the white matter abnormalities represent a mechanism by which heading leads to worse cognitive performance,” Lipton said.
Notably, most participants had no history of concussions or traumatic brain injuries, suggesting that even head impacts that don’t result in serious injury could still negatively affect the brain. The study underscores the importance of understanding the risks associated with repeated head impacts in contact sports.
lipton emphasized the need to recognize the potential risks of repetitive head impacts to promote safer sports engagement. “Characterizing the potential risks of repetitive head impacts can facilitate safer sport engagement to maximize benefits while minimizing potential harms,” Lipton said. The next phase of the study will examine the brain mechanisms underlying the MRI effects and potential protective factors.
What’s next
Future research will delve deeper into the brain mechanisms and potential protective factors related to head impacts in sports, aiming to refine safety measures and minimize long-term harm.