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 .
The Acute Neuropsychological Effects of Heading in Soccer: A Pilot Study
Objective The main objective of this study was to prospect ively examine the acute effects of heading in soccer on cognitive function . Design This was a prospect i ve cross-over study using a brief neuropsychological battery to assess cognitive function . The tests were performed before and after two separate practice sessions , with athletes serving as their own controls . Setting Male and female Division I college athletes . Participants Members of the men 's and women 's varsity collegiate Penn State University soccer teams . Forty-four males and 56 females entered and finished the study . All athletes had a normal physical examination . Interventions Before and after both practice sessions , all athletes had a brief battery of neuropsychological tests and a symptom checklist . Main Outcome Measures Neuropsychological tests symptom checklist compared at baseline with those after the practice sessions . Results There were no significant differences in pretest scores between groups and no difference on posttest scores between heading and nonheading groups . A significant difference was detected using MANOVA ( p = < 0.001 ) between pre- and posttest scores for measures of attention and concentration , indicating a practice effect . A gender-specific effect in one test measuring attention and concentration was found . There was no difference in symptoms before and after heading as compared with exertional controls . Conclusions In this study , soccer players heading the ball does not appear to lead to acute changes in cognitive function as assessed by a brief neuropsychological battery . There are practice effects that occur with repetitive neuropsychological testing and gender differences with certain tests
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 .