Football brain health: Players more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, study says

Heading is restricted in children’s football in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, while different arrangements are in place regarding heading in training in English and Scottish professional games.

In 2019, a ‘field’ study funded by the FA and PFA found footballers were 3.5 times more likely to develop a neurodegenerative disorder.

The FA has since issued guidelines for clubs to limit high-force headers in training, such as free-kicks and from balls coming in at speed from corners.

The Scottish Football Association has gone further – banning headlines the day before and after matches in professional adult sports.

In 2023, the PFA and the Premier League set up a brain health fund, making money available to support former players and their families who have been affected by dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Behind the latest research is to continue to monitor the brain health of ex-footballers who have participated in this period and to try to establish what causes the brain changes, how the symptoms change over time, and what can be done to help.

“We now really need to step it up and understand why we’re seeing these brain changes, what the underlying biology is and what the long-term consequences are,” Snyder added.

“When we think about our brain health, the best thing you can do is protect your head as much as possible when you’re playing sports.”

If you are affected by the issues raised in this article, you can find details of organizations providing support here. action line.