Head the soccer ball correctly to decrease risk of brain injury

Soccer is one of the most popular sports these days and parents and kids love it. It’s great exercise and great for building strength and confidence both on and off the field.
The question being raised now is whether or not it is safe for children and adolescents to head the ball. Studies published in the past have shown that heading the ball isn’t risky to the brain but new data reopens the question. Sophisticated MRI studies of adults who were soccer players through childhood and adolescence revealed that those who headed the ball 1,000-1,500 times per season showed microscopic changes to the brain that could lead to cognitive changes. The study is preliminary and other factors such as alcohol use and other head injuries weren’t assessed in the study but could affect the brain scans too.
Of course young kids aren’t likely to head the ball 1,000 times a year, but as some of the avid soccer players go on to play for club and high school teams or beyond they may be at risk. Learning good technique is essential.
At this time we don’t have guidelines to suggest for children and teens who play, but maybe with more research and time we’ll have “header counts” for soccer players that are age appropriate like we have “pitch counts” for kids who play baseball.