New research identifies previously unreported pressure wave energy transfer to the brain from football headers

EngineeringHealth and medicineResearchSportTechnology

A new study has identified a previously unreported mechanism of energy transfer to the brain from football headers – a finding that could prove significant in understanding the mechanics of headers and inform future research into long-term player health.

Football is widely regarded as the most popular sport globally, is played by over 260 million players and is followed by an estimated 3.5 billion fans. Heading is a fundamental skill within the game, but repetitive headers through a player’s career have been linked to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases in later life.

The study, led by Â鶹ֱ²¥ University Sports Technology Institute and philanthropically funded by The Football Association, saw researchers study ball-head impacts between a range of footballs from throughout the last century and an advanced surrogate head model, at match speeds. Using a specialist pressure sensor positioned within the brain model they observed, for the first time, a distinctive pressure wave that transfers energy into the frontal region.

The research showed the magnitude of this energy transfer varied by up to 55x across historical and modern ball types. Researchers hope that this new insight may help inform the development of new ball designs that will minimise pressure wave energy transfer.

Professor Andy Harland, Professor of Sports Technology, Â鶹ֱ²¥ University said: “Having studied football impacts for two decades, I am pleased we have been able to find evidence of this pressure wave and quantify the energy that is being transferred into the brain during each header. There is still much work to do before we fully understand what this means for brain health, but this research allows us to provide a much more detailed description of how energy is transferred during heading.”

Lead researcher Dr Ieuan Phillips said: “These findings provide opportunities to work towards ball designs and testing specifications that minimise energy transfer into the brain. We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders interested in taking this forward.”

FA Chief Medical Officer, Charlotte Cowie, said: "We’re pleased to have funded Â鶹ֱ²¥ University’s study into the potential effects of pressure waves in footballs. This new independent research provides us with innovative and previously undiscovered insight – and it is part of our ongoing commitment to gain a greater understanding of this highly complex area. The results of the study have also been shared with FIFA and UEFA, and we continue to welcome a global approach to support further research in this important area."

Published in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology. The full paper can be viewed here:

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 26/78

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In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Â鶹ֱ²¥ has been awarded eight Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education.

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SCOPE OF STUDY:

The scope of this study was to explore, under controlled laboratory conditions, measurements of reconstructed football head collisions using a surrogate skull and brain model. Twenty Law-conforming footballs, selected to represent key ball designs from throughout the last century, were tested in dry and wet conditions, at different game-realistic velocities, and at different preconditioned ball temperatures.

STUDY LIMITATIONS:

This study was carried out using laboratory-based surrogate models; therefore, it is not possible to derive any clinical implications for player health. A representative but finite selection of footballs was tested, so the results may not cover the full variation between ball types.