Analysis of Head Impact Biomechanics in Youth Female Soccer Players Following the Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ Heading Intervention

Abstract

The effects of repetitive head impacts associated with soccer heading, especially in the youth population, are unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine balance, neurocognitive function, and head impact biomechanics after an acute bout of heading before and after the Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ program intervention. Twelve youth female soccer players wore a Triax SIM-G head impact sensor during two bouts of heading, using a lightweight soccer ball, one before and one after completion of the Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ program intervention. Participants completed balance (BESS and SWAY) and neurocognitive function (ImPACT) tests at baseline and after each bout of heading. There were no significant changes in head impact biomechanics, BESS, or ImPACT scores pre- to post-season. Deficits in three of the five SWAY positions were observed from baseline to post-season. Although we expected to see beneficial changes in head impact biomechanics following the intervention, the coaches and researchers observed an improvement in heading technique/form. Lightweight soccer balls would be a beneficial addition to header drills during training as they are safe and help build confidence in youth soccer players.

Where are We Headed? Evidence to Inform Future Football Heading Guidelines

“…Coaches and trainers may use this evidence in their development of junior players Hernandez and Chen-Hua (2016) [ 86 ] n = 6 adult men (3 less proficient and 3 experienced players), mean age: not stated Motion capture analysis of heading technique within a laboratory setting Motion capture with full-body markers For upper body kinematics, the proficient subjects exerted lesser elbow angles [47.8" (1.9)] than the less proficient [58.7"(3.5)]. In the case of lower body kinetics, the proficient subjects exerted greater ankle moment [1.9(O.2) Nm/Kg] than less-proficient subjects [1.5(0.3)Nm/Kg] Experienced players generally exhibited more desirable characteristics during each heading trial, such as better joint coordination and higher ground impulse, representing an overall greater ability in implementing the skills Technique Wahlquist and Kaminski (2021) [ 87 ] n = 12 girls, mean age: not stated, but all under 12 years Girls wore a head band sensor during two bouts of heading, using a lightweight ball, one before and one after completion of the Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ program intervention. Participants completed balance (BESS and SWAY) and neurocognitive function (ImPACT) tests at baseline and after each bout of heading Instrumented headband There were no significant changes in head impact biomechanics, BESS or ImPACT scores pre- to post-season.…”

“…Specifically, intervention studies which demonstrated a reduction in head acceleration [ 52 , 89 ] or injury risk [ 117 ] associated with heading included both neck and general exercises as part of a neuromuscular training program [ 52 , 89 , 117 ]. In contrast, intervention studies that did not demonstrate reduced head acceleration employed isometric (using peer or self-resisted exercises) or isotonic neck exercises [ 45 , 87 ]. These findings may indicate the need for increased specificity of neck training programs that relate specifically to the requirements of heading to be integrated into a more generalised neuromuscular program, such as the FIFA 11+ or within an organisation’s internal programs i.e.…”

“…These exercises were easily incorporated into usual training, taking less than 2 min to complete per session Wahlquist et al. (2021) [ 87 ] n = 12 girls, mean age: 10.5 years Get aHead Safely in Soccer program completed × 2 per week over one season which included core and neck exercises (manually resisted isometric neck flexors, extensors and side-flexors) There were no changes in peak linear acceleration, peak rotational acceleration, or peak rotational velocity from pre- to post-season heading sessions Although there were no changes in head impact kinematics, coaches and researchers noted an improvement in heading technique Muller et al. (2020) [ 99 ] n = 27 boys and girls ( n = 14 intervention), age range: 15–18 years Twice weekly neck exercises incorporated into a neuromuscular exercise program for 14 weeks Female athletes had lower isolated neck strength ( p ≤ 0.004), lower functional neck strength ( p ≤ 0.017) and higher total peak linear acceleration during purposeful headers compared with males (17.2 ± 3.5 g and 13.0 ± 2.3 g, respectively, at 9.6 m/s ball velocity during impact; p = 0.003).…”

Neck strength alone does not mitigate adverse associations of soccer heading with cognitive performance in adult amateur players

“…Some have found that incorporating neck exercises results in a decrease in head acceleration by improving neuromuscular control [ 66 , 69 ]. Whereas other have demonstrated that there is no reduction of head acceleration after isotonic neck exercises [ 70 , 71 ]. Although there is limited literature on neck training to reduce head injury risk [ 72 – 74 ] or neurological changes [ 7 , 75 ], no study to date has directly examined the effect of neck strength on the adverse effects of RHI, including heading.…”