A recent study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London found that retired professional soccer players may be at risk for long-term brain health issues. The research, which looked at 142 former players, found that they were more likely to report anxiety, depression, and problems with thinking or decision-making compared to people who had not played contact sports.

Changes in the Brain

The study used questionnaires, clinical assessments, and brain scans to examine the effects of soccer on brain health. While the researchers did not find significant impacts on cognition, they did find lower gray matter in regions of the brain that affect memory, decision-making, attention, and emotional regulation among the former players.

The researchers noted that the findings are preliminary and that more research is needed to fully understand the potential risks of soccer on brain health. However, the study’s lead author, Caleigh Lynch, said that the results suggest that soccer players may be at risk for neurological symptoms earlier in life than previously thought.

Protecting Brain Health

The study’s findings have implications for how to make sports safer, particularly for young athletes. In the United States, efforts have been made to reduce head impact exposure in soccer, including banning headers for players under the age of 10 and limiting practice time for 11- to 13-year-olds.

Experts say that reducing head impact exposure is key to protecting brain health, but that it’s also important to balance this with the benefits of physical activity. Dr. Steven Broglio, director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center, said that being physically active has numerous benefits, but that it’s essential to do so safely.

Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.