\n<\/p>\n
Looking at the combined metrics of Scotland compared to 10 top leagues around the continent, there are more than 35% more heading actions in Scotland.<\/p>\n
The figures may not come as a shock to those who watch Scottish football on a regular basis, but they do throw up questions about what it means for the discussion around safety.<\/p>\n
Since the death of former England centre-forward Jeff Astle from dementia in 2002, scientists have increasingly linked repeated head impacts to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which can also lead to neurodegenerative disease.<\/p>\n
In January, a coroner investigating the death of former Scotland and Manchester Utd centre-half Gordon McQueen said: “I am satisfied that, on the balance of probability, repeatedly heading footballs contributed to his developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy.”<\/p>\n
A field study by Glasgow University in 2019 found that former professional footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to develop neurodegenerative disease. That figure was even higher for defenders.<\/p>\n
“I actually looked, a few years ago, at the heading rates across World Cups, going all the way back to 1966,” Dr Willie Stewart, who led the study, said.<\/p>\n
“The stats actually showed that the amount of headers in games were increasing over that 50-year period, rather than declining, as some people might have thought – so I’m not too surprised.”<\/p>\n
In 2022, the Scottish FA introduced a number of changes aimed at minimising the risk.<\/p>\n
Heading the ball was banned for under-12s and, in the professional game, there was a ban on heading the ball during training the day before and after a match.<\/p>\n
Clubs were also told to limit training exercises that involve repeated heading to one session per week.<\/p>\n
The SFA’s chief medical officer Dr Jonny Gordon said: “The Scottish FA has led the way in research into head trauma in sport, working in partnership with the University of Glasgow in a landmark 2020 field study and additional research published in 2022.<\/p>\n
“We will continue to monitor guidance based on evolving research as part of the association’s commitment to ensuring the national game is a safe and enjoyable environment for all players.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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