FOR KIDS: Headers and memory loss

Soccer players who frequently use their heads score worse on memory tests

By Stephen Ornes

Web edition: June 21, 2013

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Losing your head?

Soccer players who frequently head the ball scored worse on a memory test than players who perform headers less often.

Credit: iStockphoto

Soccer players who head the ball may use their noggin to score. But frequently heading the ball may lead to worse scores off the field.

In a recent study, players who did lots of headers performed worse on a memory test than did players who didn?t head the ball as often. The same study also found that players who frequently headed the ball had more changes to their brain?s white matter. This tissue includes nerve fibers and their protective, white coatings. The fibers carry signals throughout the brain.

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/351172/title/FOR_KIDS_Headers_and_memory_loss

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