The overall results of r and om effects modelling of football heading were found to be inconclusive across all outcomes , groups and time points .
No moderating variables related to method ological , sample or study characteristics were supported in the analysis ; age was a potential moderating variable .
Summary / conclusions We provide the first meta-analytical review of football heading effects aggregated from multiple studies and extended findings from a recent systematic review of the effects of football heading .
Our analysis indicates no overall effect for heading a football on adverse outcomes
Aim / objective The objective of this study was to provide a meta- analysis examining the effects of football heading .
Design Meta-analytical review on football heading effects on neurocognitive performance , cognition and symptom reports .
Effect of an acute bout of soccer heading on postural control and self-reported concussion symptoms.
Our purpose was to determine if an acute bout of heading soccer balls adversely affected postural control and self-reported symptoms of cerebral concussion .  Thirty-one college-aged soccer players were r and omly placed into either a kicking group or a heading group . Subjects either kicked or headed 18 soccer balls over the course of 40 minutes . Subjects had their  postural control assessed while st and ing on a force plate and completed a  concussion symptoms checklist  on three separate occasions : prior to , immediately following , and 24 hours after kicking or heading . There were no significant differences between the heading and kicking groups on the postural control measures prior to , immediately following , and 24 hours after kicking/heading . The heading group did , however , report significantly more concussion symptoms than the kicking group immediately after heading , but not 24 hours after heading . The number of previous concussions sustained by subjects did not influence the effects of heading . An acute bout of soccer heading appears to cause an increase in self-reported symptoms of cerebral concussion lasting less than 24 hours but no quantifiable deficits in postural control . Further research is needed to investigate the cumulative effects of soccer heading on postural control and other objective measures of brain function
The overall results of r and om effects modelling of football heading were found to be inconclusive across all outcomes , groups and time points .
No moderating variables related to method ological , sample or study characteristics were supported in the analysis ; age was a potential moderating variable .
Summary / conclusions We provide the first meta-analytical review of football heading effects aggregated from multiple studies and extended findings from a recent systematic review of the effects of football heading .
Our analysis indicates no overall effect for heading a football on adverse outcomes
Aim / objective The objective of this study was to provide a meta- analysis examining the effects of football heading .
Design Meta-analytical review on football heading effects on neurocognitive performance , cognition and symptom reports .