Football is commonly associated with sports-related concussions. However, it may be time for football to stop hogging the attention. Soccer also poses a concussion risk. New research published in medical journal Neurology claims soccer players who head the ball have a threefold risk of suffering concussions.

The study analyzed 222 amateur soccer players who participated in the sport for at least six months during the year. Participants were given a survey asking how many times they headed the ball, and the number of other impacts they suffered within a two-week period. Researchers then separated the participants into four groups depending on their answers. Group one had participants who reported heading the ball only five times during this two-week period. Those in group four reported heading the ball 125 times on average.

Researchers compared these groups to assess whether heading the ball can increase the risk of a concussion. According to the study, players in group four were three times more likely to report concussion symptoms than those in group one.

Critics of the research, including other researchers who regularly play soccer, have pointed out possible weaknesses with the study. Soccer players are not going to count how many times they head the ball each week because they are focusing more on playing the game. This study also used adult players, and has not addressed possible risks to teenage athletes.

Can Concussion Guidelines Protect Soccer Players and Other Athletes?

It is important for athletic directors, parents and coaches to recognize the symptoms of a concussion. Multiple concussions or inadequate recovery time may lead to permanent complications or death (second-impact syndrome or CTE). For this reason, all states have laws addressing when high school athletes can return to play. Schools that fail to follow these laws may be held accountable when student athletes suffer lifechanging or fatal injuries.