Two years ago, the Scottish Football Association banned children and young people under the age of 17 from practicing heading and nodding. Now they go even further. They have spoken to 50 professional clubs for both men and women around the country, and created a new guideline for all adult footballers. The result is clear. Heading must be reduced. Head to ball First of all, the rule states that the footballers must not nod and head the day before and after the match. In addition, nodding must be practiced at most once a week. John MacLean has been a doctor in the Scottish Football Association for over 20 years, and has also been involved in research in the area. – The aim is to reduce the possible cumulative effect of heading, he says. In 2019, a study of Scottish death registers showed that professional footballers are 3.5 times more likely than others to die from brain diseases such as dementia. It did not determine what caused it. Skepticism Truls Dæhli is the top football manager in the Norwegian Football Association. He says the possible risk of brain damage is something they are aware of and which they follow closely. – But as of now, we have no intention of introducing what the Scots have done. At the same time, he says that if there is new research, they will take it into account. Top football manager Truls Dæhli will not introduce restrictions on nodding in Norway. Photo: Lise Åserud Doctor Stian Kirkerud Sandmo has researched possible brain damage due to headings in football. He is unsure whether what the Scots are doing now has any effect. – These small steps seem to be largely symbolic to show a willingness to change. Whether it actually benefits the players’ brain health, no one can say based on the knowledge base we have today. Among other things, Stian Kirkerud Sandmo has researched the effects of nodding in 14- to 16-year-olds. Photo: Aleksander Båtnes / news He believes that the new rules could, in the worst case, have the opposite effect. Little cause for concern Sandmo believes that if the players train less on nodding, they may become worse at it. This can make each blow to the head more powerful, as well as leading to a higher risk of concussions when players first engage in head-to-head duels in matches. – The measures are not guided by specific science. Sandmo says that those who play at a high level actually have a higher risk of brain damage and dementia than others. Professor Thor Einar Andersen, who is the head of the medical committee in the Norwegian Football Association and the Sports Health Centre, agrees with Sandmo. He says there is no reason for either professional players or others to be concerned that you might get dementia from heading. Dizziness – I think I would start at the other end and make sure that more footballers who get hit in the head are taken out of training and matches. There is more to be had. Thor Einar Andersen says heading is part of football and that it is about doing it with the best possible technique. Photo: news Andersen advises both players, coaches and referees to follow along if someone becomes dizzy, dizzy or feels black after a hard duel. – This applies in children’s football, at senior level and in top football. I think there is less focus on this in children’s football and down in the divisions. Based on the knowledge base we have, this will be the most important measure we take going forward.
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Scotland stops heading at football training before and after matches – news Trøndelag
