Dementia in football

Getting ahead of the game

News that the University of East Anglia will be conducting a long term study into possible links between dementia and heading a football, is to be welcomed .

It was back in November 2019 that our Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team held its “Boots, Balls and Brains” event at St Mary’s Stadium, the home of Premiership football club Southampton FC, a unique study day for those working in the field of brain injury rehabilitation and sport. There was unanimous recognition of the benefits sport can provide to those with or without a brain injury, be that physical, psychological or social. However, as with any activity, there are risks, risks to be balanced against benefits and one of the primary difficulties in this area is the lack of clear scientific evidence identifying the risks.

Dr Magdalena Letswaart from Stirling University kindly gave the key note presentation on brain health in sport. She was involved in the recent high profile television documentary “Alan Shearer: Dementia, Football and Me”  focusing on her research into whether heading a football can contribute to dementia.

As part of her study tests were conducted which involved repeated heading of the ball, followed by a period of time during which brain function was monitored. It appeared from the study that there was a measurable effect on the brain as a result of repetitive low level impact but as yet there is not enough evidence to reach an unequivocal conclusion about the long term effects. Further study is struggling to secure funding and until such funding is available, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions. A controversial subject likely to generate debate and remain at the forefront of sporting issues. Thus the announcement today of further research in Norwich is a step towards finding answers to the outstanding questions and a step on the road in the process of adjusting behaviours to minimise injury where possible.

As leaders in the field of brain injury and sports law, we are in an unique position to provide legal advice to players, coaches, managers and administrators grappling with the problem of injury in sport.