Purdue University Study On Physics of Soccer 'Heading' Recommends That 'Softer' Balls May Improve Safety for Younger Players

Business Wire, August 13, 2001

Lifestyle Editors & Sports Writers

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2001

Study argues for re-design of "age-appropriate balls, with reduced weight and inflation pressure", to substantially reduce risk of subtle

brain injury in players who head soccer balls

"To realize such benefits, it will of course be necessary to change the negative attitudes of many soccer players and coaches regarding softer balls. Nevertheless, we should argue against hard-ball macho. Considering the estimated 200 million active soccer players worldwide, even a small percentage risk of permanent brain injury would have serious public health consequences."

Dr. Charles F. Babbs

Dept. of Basic Medical Sciences

Purdue University

New research suggests that minor adjustments should be made in the way soccer is practiced and played to increase head safety, especially for younger (7 to 12) players. The study, "Biomechanics of Heading a Soccer Ball: Implications for Player Safety", published in the current issue of TheScientificWorldJOURNAL, suggests a five-point plan:

1. More extensive use of softer, under-inflated (5 PSI) soccer balls, especially during intensive practice;

2. Re-design of youth soccer balls (sizes 3 and 4) to be lighter in weight with lower inflation pressures;

3. Greater emphasis on proper technique with maximal body mass "behind" the ball, with a strong and stiff neck;

4. Routine use of neck strengthening exercises during training of players;

5. Rule change to make heading a rising ball at close range "dangerous play."

"Youth players are at greater risk of brain injury from heading a soccer ball because of their lower body mass and less-experienced technique," concluded the study's author, Dr. Charles F. Babbs of Purdue University's department of basic medical sciences. "This issue remains a substantial concern - and rightfully so -- to parents of younger players who take up the sport early and may quickly advance to higher competitive levels where heading is an encouraged and expected part of the game. These same players will be exposed to a lifetime of play and could be at risk of cumulative acceleration-related brain injury. These potentially dangerous conditions can be avoided by prudent changes in practice and match conditions, especially for younger players, without detracting from the beauty and excitement of the game. Considering the estimated 200 million active soccer players worldwide, even a small percentage risk of permanent brain injury would have serious public health implications."

"One easy and obvious modification of the soccer ball to increase heading safety, especially for young players who are small and light-weight individuals, is to reduce the ball-inflation pressure," Dr. Babbs added. "Reduced-pressure balls inflated to 5 PSI are softer than standard balls. They have reduced bounce on a hard surface, but are not obviously flat. They are similar to older practice balls used by many teams that are not meticulously checked for pressure and tend to loose air over time."

"Softer balls cannot only improve heading safety, but quite possibly may also improve goal-scoring and excitement of the game by providing strikers with more control to place shots beyond the goalkeeper's reach, as well as by enabling greater passing accuracy," said Dr. Babbs. "Many soccer players and coaches mistakenly believe that softer balls are undesirable because they are slower than hard, over-inflated balls. The importance of `touch' factors, however, is rarely considered. Lower-pressure balls may thus improve both the safety and enjoyment of the game. To realize such benefits, however, it will be necessary to change the negative attitudes of many soccer players and coaches regarding softer balls, by emphasizing their greater safety and `touch.' In short, we should argue against hard-ball macho."

Full text of Dr. Babbs' study (Babbs, C.F. (2001) Biomechanics of heading a soccer ball: implications for player safety. TheScientificWorld 1, 281-322) can be found in TheScientificWorldJOURNAL at www.thescientificworld.com.

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