"A new study published in JAMA Neurology
in May 2026 revealed some interesting science behind the effects of heading the ball in soccer. Hoppen and colleagues out of The Netherlands recently published an article looking at the short-term changes in the brain from heading the ball during the soccer match.
The researchers analyzed the blood of players before a match, immediately after and 24-48hrs post-match, looking at a panel of 6 blood biomarkers for changes in the brain. Two brain biomarkers stood out: pTau217 and S100B. The proteins have been associated with neuronal damage and astrocyte/supporting cell activity. These changes were also dose-dependent, meaning the bigger the impact the bigger the rise in blood biomarkers.
The levels of these biomarkers did return to baseline within a few days after the match, however, the authors mention that this return is not an indicator that the brain has healed.
Even though this study only looked at male amateur soccer players, it is an important puzzle piece for the immediate, acute effects of what heading a ball does to the brain, and furthers the need for conversations surrounding limiting heading exposures. More research is needed to expand these findings, but it is a step in the right direction.
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Read the abstract at JAMA - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2849324
