TY  - JOUR
AB  - Objectives To date, consistent evidence for consequences of heading in football (soccer) on the structure and function of the brain is lacking, but first studies indicate a potential effect of specific high-magnitude headers. The purpose of this longitudinal, prospective study was to investigate whether potential structural and/or functional alterations within the brainwere associated with (high-magnitude) heading. Methods 3T MRI sequences were obtained from active high-level male players before and after an observation period of 17.2 months (median). Cortical thickness and grey matter (GM) volume were investigated on a whole-brain level. Functional connectivity (FC) was analysed in the default mode network (DMN) and salience network(SN). During the observation period, each training and each match was videotaped and evaluated regarding the heading exposure. Significant structural and functional findings were subsequently correlated with specific header characteristics. Results 14 included participants (mean age: 20.36±3.34 years) played 5822 headers. GM volume remained unchanged, whereas cortical thickness decreased minimally from pre-measurement to post-measurement in a left precentral region (mean change: 0.048±0.128 mm; clusterwise p=0.0416). Within the SN, FC increased in one cluster (false discovery rate corrected p=0.026). FC remained stable within the DMN and between DMN and SN. Change from pre-measurementt o post-measurement for the significant results did not correlate with heading variables. Conclusion Our findings may indicate no cumulative effect of heading during the observation period. As these results contrast with cross-sectional findings, more longitudinal, prospective studies with a greater sample size are urgently needed to understand potential heading effects.
AU  - Mund, Franziska Katharina
AU  - Feddermann-Demont, Nina
AU  - Welzsch, Goetz, H
AU  - Schuenemann, Carsten
AU  - Fiehler, Jens
AU  - Thaler, Christian
AU  - Meyer, Lukas
AU  - Reeschke, Rebecca
AU  - Reinsberger, Claus
DA  - 2025
DO  - 10.17619/UNIPB/1-2479
PB  - Universitätsbibliothek
DP  - Universität Paderborn
LA  - eng
PY  - 2026
SN  - 2055-7647
SP  - 1 Online-Ressource (Seite 1-9) : Illustrationen
T2  - BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
TI  - High-magnitude headers are not associated with structural and functional brain changes in active high-level football (soccer) players
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hbz:466:2-57010
Y2  - 2026-02-04T19:14:25
ER  -