Dementia in Football.

[Assassin]

There is obviously some truth in the report. Getting hit on the head with something heavy will cause more damage than something light. I question how many players are still alive from the era of the heavy leather football? Therefore this is a moot point

Have said that. Going back to my earlier days playing. We were playing a game (not with a leather ball) a really good mate of all in the team headed a drop kick from the opposing goalie. It was a towering header. We all made our way up the pitch on the counter attack. After the attack was finished we saw our mate who headed the ball laid out in the position he headed the ball. He was lifeless, he had died on the pitch of a brain hemmoridge. Game abandoned. RIP my friend

In reality any blow to the head, especially if there is a hidden weakness in the body can have a catastrophic result

[Zapater]

There is obviously some truth in the report. Getting hit on the head with something heavy will cause more damage than something light. I question how many players are still alive from the era of the heavy leather football? Therefore this is a moot point

Have said that. Going back to my earlier days playing. We were playing a game (not with a leather ball) a really good mate of all in the team headed a drop kick from the opposing goalie. It was a towering header. We all made our way up the pitch on the counter attack. After the attack was finished we saw our mate who headed the ball laid out in the position he headed the ball. He was lifeless, he had died on the pitch of a brain hemmoridge. Game abandoned. RIP my friend

In reality any blow to the head, especially if there is a hidden weakness in the body can have a catastrophic result

That's absolutely awful.

Apparently less than 1kg of pressure is sufficient to hurt someone/lose consciousness. Not sure of the exact unit/metric, PSI or newtons maybe, but that's the rough equivalent. Allegedly everyone has a different 'sweetspot' due to their physical make up and bone density etc, but usually it's somewhere on the chin/jaw area. Similar logic applies to kidneys.

Also, if you see cyclist helmets after a fall, it's the opposite side where the force is transferred where the damage is located, in most cases, not the point of impact. Without the helmet, that same damage happens to the skull/brain. There are many cases where a football travelling at great velocity is headed with the side of the head. Wonder if that ever occurs.

[baitman]

Hopefully this will also add weight to the need to have an extra substitution for head injuries.

[Alex]

I think if a player gets a blow to the head, the Referee should have the power to tell a manager to get that player off and sub someone else on so they can be checked.

It happens in lots of other sports.

[Assassin]

Hopefully this will also add weight to the need to have an extra substitution for head injuries.

If this became reality, it would be used and a abused

[Alex]

Why is that always the argument? It doesnt get abused much in any other sport? If the Ref is in control of it and has the backup of VAR. I dont see how its bad at all really?

[Alex]

IMO Football needs to get serious about head injuries. Like a lot of other sports have done, or are doing.

[sean_lfc]

I was watching a documentary on Dave Mirra, the greatest action sport athlete of all time, natural BMX superstar, who transformed and transcended the sport. He shot himself at age 41 in 2016. He had a wife and 2 daughters. It turns out he had CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to dementia, memory loss and depression. And apparently this is widespread in many different sports, so I thought I'd post it here. But it's basically having your head bashed in over and over again.

Theres a great interview with his wife after his death, it's a shame CTE can't be diagnosed in the living, but symptoms can be.

https://www.espn.com/action/story/_/...l-lauren-mirra

[Ben_Itez]

I was watching a documentary on Dave Mirra, the greatest action sport athlete of all time, natural BMX superstar, who transformed and transcended the sport. He shot himself at age 41 in 2016. He had a wife and 2 daughters. It turns out he had CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to dementia, memory loss and depression. And apparently this is widespread in many different sports, so I thought I'd post it here. But it's basically having your head bashed in over and over again.

Theres a great interview with his wife after his death, it's a shame CTE can't be diagnosed in the living, but symptoms can be.

https://www.espn.com/action/story/_/...l-lauren-mirra

A really sad story. I met Dave when I was at University in North Carolina back in 1999, spent a few hours playing pool and drinking beer, he was a lovely fella. I had no idea who he was to start with but realised after a while after people kept coming up to him. Saw him around a few times afterwards and he’d always come over and say hello.

I think there’s an inherent risk with any contact sport whether it be American football, horse riding or BMX. I’m pretty sure 98% of people participating in these sports would participate even if they fully knew the risks, that doesn’t mean the relevant authorities and associations shouldn’t try and make them as safe as possible though.

[Buzzo]

Scottish FA considers ban on children heading balls after dementia study

The Scottish FA is to consider a ban on children under 12 heading the ball, following a report linking dementia to football.

Experts at the University of Glasgow found former professional players are three and a half times more likely to die of degenerative brain disease.

Scottish football's governing body will consider a range of options after discussions with medical experts.

A ban on children heading the ball has been in place in the US since 2014x

An insider said: "The new presidential team are determined to be proactive on such a serious issue affecting the national game.

"While the study says the findings can't automatically be applied to the grassroots game, they are absolutely clear that this should not mean doing nothing in the meantime but being proactive and open to radical steps if appropriate.

"This is not just about young people heading the ball in matches but taking steps to remove repetitive heading practice in training."

A neurosurgeon said Jeff Astle died from a brain condition normally linked to boxers rather than Alzheimer's disease

Last week Dr John MacLean, the Scottish FA's chief medical consultant, told BBC Scotland he wanted to see steps taken to reduce "heading load on young players".
He said: "Through work with the Scottish FA and Uefa, what we have started to do is put together some sensible guidelines.

"Some simple things like limiting heading training for young players, perhaps to one session per week to allow the brain to recover."

Dr MacLean is part of the Uefa medical committee and has backed proposals for rugby-style temporary substitutions for concussion.

'Statement of intent'

The Scottish FA insider said its presidential team would support his expert advice on children heading balls.

"It's a clear statement of intent and whatever is considered the most appropriate by the board and the medical team should have no obstacles to implementation," they said.
The Glasgow university study was launched after claims that former West Brom strike Jeff Astle died because of repeated head trauma.

It was commissioned by the Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association after delays in initial research angered the family of Mr Astle, who died in 2002.
His daughter, Dawn, said she was "staggered" by the findings.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-50199583

[ChesterDave]

I am wondering if it will be as significant in years to come as footballs now are much lighter than they used to be previously but how much heading of the ball went on in the 50's/60's/70's compared to now? I have no idea, before my time. A lighter ball but more frequent heading may be as damaging.

Obviously at some point kids are going to need to learn to head a ball and it should be up to medical professionals and not ex-players or managers to opine what age the risks become sufficiently reduced to be acceptable.

[dom9]

Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.

[Zapater]

Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.

I saw this. He's about a hundred years old, so pretty much impossible to tell if it's down to repeated, minor head trauma or because he's ancient.

[Tribute]

Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.

A horrible disease that steals your memories and I’ve been through it with both parents. Not nice to hear about such a legend of the game but thankful he is knocking on a bit and didn’t get struck down with it in his sixties...

Best of luck, Bobby... YNWA

[Norbs]

I saw this. He's about a hundred years old, so pretty much impossible to tell if it's down to repeated, minor head trauma or because he's ancient.

Harsh