Are there Memory Deficits Among High School Participants from Heading Soccer Balls?

Authors

John R. Dayton, Brigham Young University
Dr. Donovan E. Fleming, Brigham Young University

Keywords

memory deficits, high school participants, heading soccer balls, soccer

College

Life Sciences

Department

Neuroscience

Abstract

A unique aspect of soccer is the use of the player’s head to direct the ball. Participants can “head” the ball to score a goal, pass to a teammate or gain control of possession. Studies performed on soccer players at the international^2,5,7,10,12 and Olympic¹ levels have shown memory^{2,3,4,6,8,9,10,12}, attention^3,6,11,12, concentration^2,3,6,11,12, and judgment²⁴ deficits. Is such damage due to practice schedule and necessitated drills, or is it the cumulative result of lifelong soccer participation? If due to lifelong participation, are high school participants at risk?

Recommended Citation

Dayton, John R. and Fleming, Dr. Donovan E. (2014) "Are there Memory Deficits Among High School Participants from Heading Soccer Balls?," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 258.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/258