Football and Dementia

[albie]

Report out today is bad news for those of us who spent their early years heading the old leather casey with the lace up;
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/21/landmark-study-reveals-link-between-football-dementia

God knows how much needless damage has been caused.
Steve Foster headbands perhaps in future, to cushion impacts?

[DRFC_AjA]

No heading for under 18's seems quite likely?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Any medical research to help minimise the risk is always welcome. I can see restrictions on heading by juniors whilst the skull is not fully formed. The impact on the brain in adults will be evaluated more as research continues however, I'm sure every individual player will become aware of the risks involved when making a career choice. Perhaps annual scans on players will become compulsory at some point to assess any damage.

[Branton Rover]

The game today is very different from when Ernie Moss played - he played on heavy pitches, the ball in the area - an era of physical football we just don’t see today - our centre halves play out from the back and the number of headers in a typical game has reduced dramatically

[drfcsteve]

I remember when I was playing at school 20 years ago and there was similar research about heading the ball doing damage (don't think it was dementia related though). It's obvious really that it isn't good for you.

[Axholme Lion]

No heading for under 18's seems quite likely?

I reckon eating KFC and McDonalds does more harm to the under eighteens than the odd bump on the bonce.