By Kohen Zain
Concussions aren’t just possible during football, but the sport accounts for many head injuries. (Non-American) football accounts for the most head injuries among female athletes, and its in the top five for male athletes. Given the presence of concussions in football, athletes, coaches and trainers should all know when the injuries are most likely occur during play.
Heading the Ball
The most obvious cause of concussions in football is heading, although this accounts for fewer head injuries than might be expected.
A 2015 study of high school play found that heading accounts for 30.6 percent of concussions in boys’ football and 25.3 percent in girls’ — it’s not necessarily contact with the ball that causes these injuries, though. The study explained that man of these concussions stem from players battling with one another to get at the ball. Head contact with other heads, arms and even legs account for a significant amount of these statistics.
The 2015 study has been corroborated with separate research, including a 2016 study and ongoing projects. The 2016 study showed that heading contact with the ball produces changes to brain activity, but the changes noted were only temporary. Ongoing projects have demonstrated that high-level players who head the ball regularly have long-term changes to the brain, possibly from both concussive and subconcussive injuries.
Player-Player Contact
As noted in the 2015 study, player-to-player contact causes many of the concussions in football. The explanation that many injuries classified as headers are actually caused by player-player contact is insightful, but that’s not all that the study showed. Player-player contact was the most common cause of head injury according to the study, being responsible for 60.8 percent of head injuries in boys and 51.3 percent in girls high school football.
As anyone who plays football at a high amateur or professional level knows, there’s plenty of contact during a football match.
Shots to the Face
Separate from heading, direct impact between the face and the ball can also cause concussions if the ball is moving fast enough. Impacts on crosses, penalty kicks, free kicks and shots can all be strong enough to cause injury.
Collisions with the Goalpost
As much as player-to-player contact poses a threat, head-on contact with an immovable, metal goalpost is often even worse. Colliding with goalposts might seem unlikely, but it happens occasionally. Goal keepers are the most likely to sustain a concussion via this cause, although forwards and midfielders might collide with a goalpost on a cross, corner or free kick.
Hard Falls
Hard falls, especially from collisions and bicycle kicks, can generate enough impact to cause concussions. The type of field that a match is played on has some influence on how hard the head strikes the ground, but any head-ground collision can cause injury if it’s hard enough.
Changes in Direction
Changing directions is an uncommon cause of concussion, but it’s a cause that most people are unaware of. Fast changes in direction, especially quick stops and 1i80-degree changes, occasionally are able to bruise the brain against the skull. This could generate a concussion.
Many Potential Causes of Concussions in Football
Being aware of these various causes of concussions in football can help athletes, coaches and trainers all better manage the risks that are inherent with football. The sport is loved in the U.K. and throughout the world, and playing it both responsibly and well will allow the greatest number of people to enjoy football for as long as they’re able to compete.
