England's professional workforce will have a maximum of 10 "higher-force" heads in trainingNew research shows that defenders are more susceptible to developing dementia later in life than other football positions.A study by Professor Willie Stewart in 2019 found that former footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely than the general population to die from neurodegenerative brain diseases.However, his research shows that defenders are at greatest risk of developing dementia. They are five times more likely than non-footballers to develop the condition.This is compared to three times the risk of forwards and almost no additional risk for goalkeepers when compared to the population.Outfielders were four times more likely than other players to develop brain diseases such as dementia.Research by the University of Glasgow was also funded by the Football Association as well as the players' union, the Professional Footballers Association. It found that the risk of becoming a football player increased with time.Even with recent improvements in football technology, head-injury management, and other factors, there was no evidence of a decrease in neurodegenerative disease risk for the footballers in this study. Their careers span from around 1930 to the late 90s."Footballs should come with a warning about the heading"Dr Stewart, a consultant neuropathologist and study author, said it was time that football eliminates the risk of going. He also warned that this could lead to short-term brain impairment.He said that he believes footballs should come with a warning about repeated head-in football, which could increase the risk of developing dementia."Unlike other degenerative diseases and dementias, which we don't know what causes, we know the risk factor with football and can prevent it from happening."We can stop it now, and we must reduce, if possible, the unnecessary head impacts. Is it absolutely necessary that football continues? Or, to put it another manner: Is football dependent on being exposed to dementia risk?I have yet to see evidence that heading a football is good for you. Football is good for you. There are less cancers and heart problems in football players. However, I don't believe there is any benefit to it.Professor Willie Stewart believes that footballs should be accompanied by a health warningNew heading guidance: "Unscientific guesswork"This research follows a week in which English football recommended limits for amateur and professional players in training. This follows previous restrictions in England, Scotland and Wales regarding youth team heading.Professional players will have to limit their use of 'higher force' headers to train from corners, long passes or free-kicks starting next season, while amateur players should only use 10 headers per week.Stewart, however, was critical of the guidelines and said they were based upon "unscientific guesswork". He cited the Scottish Football Association who waited for FIELD (Football’s Influence on Long-Term Health and Dementia Risk), before publishing their heading advice.He said, "There's no reason to assume that 10 headers at a given level will make a significant difference in the risk." FA's recommendations were based on an analysis of matches and a calculation of the forces. This was then used for training guidance."That's similar to being at the edge of a motorway, judging cars' speeds, and discussing road traffic measures in a particular city. It's not completely relevant.We must wait between 30 and 40 years to determine if 10 high-force head impacts could make a difference.FA stated that it welcomed the new research and supported new heading guidelines with its expertise and research.Stewart stated that football was at the forefront in dementia research. The research looked at data from health records for approximately 8,000 former Scottish male footballers and matched them with 23,000 men from general population.He said that it was a global issue and suggested that the game's format should be changed.He said, "Maybe professionals can continue to play full contact heading football with all the support they need and the medical knowledge of the risk.""But perhaps at youth and community level we can begin to talk about a game without going. What if we wait for 30-40 years? Or should we just say that the evidence is strong enough to allow us to consider a sport with minimal head impact?"I believe we have passed this point."AnalyseHugh Pym is BBC health editorThere are increasing concerns about the long-term effects on player health from head injuries sustained in rugby and elite football.After Dawn Astle's long-running campaign, whose father Jeff was diagnosed with dementia and had a long career that involved frequent head of the ball, the debate has intensified.Professor Willie Stewart, one of the most respected experts in the field, was commissioned in 2017 by the Football Association as well as the Professional Footballers Association to conduct research on brain health in football players. His team published preliminary results two years later on dementia risk in former professionals.The latest study identifies defenders as well as those with the longest career. It concludes that heading is a key element.Professor Stewart insists that immediate action must be taken to ensure the safety of current players. This is a wake-up call from an expert like him and a team that was funded by English football authorities.
