New Study Provides More Evidence That Headers Affect Brain Activity
By Ken Reed
A first-of-its-kind study has revealed that headers and accidental head impacts in soccer result in changes in blood patterns, linked to brain signalling pathways and potential alterations. The study analyzed blood samples from 89 pro soccer players in a range of scenarios involving heading.
The results demonstrated “specific alterations” in the levels of the brain’s microRNAs, which are associated with brain alterations.
“This is a relatively small sample-size exploratory study,” says Stian Bahr Sandmo, of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Sandmo was the lead researcher on the study.
“But, future findings expanding upon our research could ultimately lead to an improved understanding of the potential hazardous effects of repetitive head impacts. With millions of people playing soccer worldwide this might ultimately have a substantial influence on public health.”
Previous studies have suggested certain microRNAs in the blood are altered in response to mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This latest study adds to prior research linking headers in soccer with brain injuries.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans

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"How We Can Save Sports" author Ken Reed appears on Fox & Friends to explain how there's "too much adult in youth sports."
Ken Reed appears on Mornings with Gail from KFKA Radio in Colorado to discuss bad parenting in youth athletics.
“Should College Athletes Be Paid?” Ken Reed on The Morning Show from Wisconsin Public Radio
Ken Reed appears on KGNU Community Radio in Colorado (at 02:30) to discuss equality in sports and Title IX.
Ken Reed appears on the Ralph Nader Radio Hour (at 38:35) to discuss his book The Sports Reformers: Working to Make the World of Sports a Better Place, and to talk about some current sports issues.
- League of Fans Sports Policy Director Ken Reed quoted in Washington Post column titled "What happened to P.E.? It’s losing ground in our push for academic improvement," by Jay Mathews
League of Fans is a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader to fight for the higher principles of justice, fair play, equal opportunity and civil rights in sports; and to encourage safety and civic responsibility in sports industry and culture.
Sports & Torts – Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans – at the American Museum of Tort Law
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