Scoring a goal from a header in football can be a great sight but it might not be as beneficial for the player who heads it.
A study from Stirling University in Scotland and Yeshiva University in New York discovered that one practice session of heading a football can affect a player's brain function and memory for 24 hours. Heading a ball can cause damage to the brain structure and function and can even shorten memory recall.
The problem could be even worse for youngsters as their neck muscles are not fully developed. Some doctors and coaches have started a campaign to ban heading in youth soccer league. Football is the most popular sport in the world, with over 260 million amateur and professional players. Competitive players head the ball an average of six to 12 times per game. One of the authors suggested football should be avoided ahead of important events like exams.
