No Evidence of Association Between Soccer Heading and Cognitive Performance in Professional Soccer Players: Cross-Sectional Results.

Although the scientific community has focused on the effects of concussions in contact sports, the role of subconcussive impacts, as it can occur during soccer heading, has recently gained attention, considering that it may represent an additional mechanism of cumulative brain injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of soccer heading on cognitive functioning in active professional soccer players. Male soccer players (n = 44), from two soccer teams that play in the Brazilian A Series Championship, and non-athletes (n = 47), comparable in age and education, were submitted to cognitive assessment, consisting of computerized and conventional neuropsychological testing (Neupsilin battery). In the computerized cognitive assessment, soccer players performed better than controls on reaction time measures in general motor coordination, executive functioning and memory tests, and on accuracy measures in executive functioning tests. There were no significant differences between groups on the Neupsilin battery. A comparison between two sub-groups of soccer players, based on the self-reported number of headings, did not show significant differences on tests performance. No significant correlations were found between an estimate of exposure to heading during professional soccer career and cognitive performance. Our data demonstrate no evidence of cognitive impairment in soccer players, compared to non-athletes, and no association between heading exposure and performance on neuropsychological tests. Longitudinal investigations, including neuroimaging assessment, will help to clarify whether soccer heading may be associated with brain injury and cognitive dysfunction.

Effects of Soccer Heading on Brain Structure and Function.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with more than 265 million players worldwide, including professional and amateur ones. Soccer is unique in comparison to other sports, as it is the only sport in which participants purposely use their head to hit the ball. Heading is considered as an offensive or defensive move whereby the player's unprotected head is used to deliberately impact the ball and direct it during play. A soccer player can be subjected to an average of 6-12 incidents of heading the ball per competitive game, where the ball reaches high velocities. Moreover, in practice sessions, heading training, which involves heading the ball repeatedly at low velocities, is common. Although the scientific community, as well as the media, has focused on the effects of concussions in contact sports, the role of subconcussive impacts, as it can occur during heading, has recently gained attention, considering that it may represent an additional mechanism of cumulative brain injury. The purpose of this study is to review the existing literature regarding the effects of soccer heading on brain structure and function. Only in the last years, some investigations have addressed the impact of heading on brain structure, by using neuroimaging techniques. Similarly, there have been some recent studies investigating biochemical markers of brain injury in soccer players. There is evidence of association between heading and abnormal brain structure, but the data are still preliminary. Also, some studies have suggested that subconcussive head impacts, as heading, could cause cognitive impairment, whereas others have not corroborated this finding. Questions persist as to whether or not heading is deleterious to cognitive functioning. Further studies, especially with longitudinal designs, are needed to clarify the clinical significance of heading as a cause of brain injury and to identify risk factors. Such investigations might contribute to the establishment of safety guidelines that could help to minimize the risk of possible adverse effects of soccer on brain structure and function.

Brittle bone disease: a case report / Doenca dos ossos frageis: relato de caso

We report a case of a female patient, 27 years old, with several episodes of fractures after low energy trauma and the first documented episode only to 18 years of age. Extensive research has not found the exact etiology of the disease. The orthopedic monitoring has targeted prevention and treatment of fractures.

Relata-se caso de paciente feminina, de 27 anos, com diversos episódios de fraturas após traumas de baixa energia, o primeiro documentado aos 18 anos. A extensiva investigação até o momento não concluiu a exata etiologia da doença. O acompanhamento ortopédico tem visado à prevenção e ao tratamento das fraturas.

Brittle bone disease: A case report.

We report a case of a female patient, 27 years old, with several episodes of fractures after low energy trauma and the first documented episode only to 18 years of age. Extensive research has not found the exact etiology of the disease. The orthopedic monitoring has targeted prevention and treatment of fractures.

PUBIS STRESS FRACTURE IN A 15-YEAR-OLD SOCCER PLAYER.

This case report presents a 15-year-old football player who was diagnosed with a pubis stress fracture and underwent conservative treatment with satisfactory results. After a review of the literature, the clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment are described. The importance of this paper comes from the rarity of finding reports about this kind of injury in the literature.

Fratura de estresse do púbis em atleta de futebol de 15 anos de idade / Pubis stress fracture in a 15-year-old soccer player

Este relato de caso apresenta um atleta de futebol de 15 anos de idade diagnosticado com fratura de estresse do púbis e tratado conservadoramente, com resultados satisfatórios. Uma vez realizada revisão da literatura, os autores descreveram quadro clínico, diagnóstico e tratamento. A importância desta publicação reside no fato de a lesão descrita ser raramente encontrada na literatura.

This case report presents a 15-year-old football player who was diagnosed with a pubis stress fracture and underwent conservative treatment with satisfactory results. After a review of the literature, the clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment are described. The importance of this paper comes from the rarity of finding reports about this kind of injury in the literature.