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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
In soccer it’s in the technique of how to head the ball. Always with the forehead which is arguably the hardest part of the head. I have done this a million times. No ill effect at all. Some might argue against this
. This is even the ball coming at speed. But once you miss that sweet spot which can happen it can leave you dazed for a bit. Worse spot is at the top of your head.
Yeah, but those old suburban grounds with 2" of mud with a waterlogged ball could really knock you around even if you hit the ball properly.In soccer it’s in the technique of how to head the ball. Always with the forehead which is arguably the hardest part of the head. I have done this a million times. No ill effect at all. Some might argue against this
From a physics point of view would it make any difference to what happens to your brain?In soccer it’s in the technique of how to head the ball. Always with the forehead which is arguably the hardest part of the head. I have done this a million times. No ill effect at all. Some might argue against this
im not a good soccer player and didn’t play much and it sure hurts a lot if it hits the wrong bit of your head. But I reckon the brain is smashing internally into your skull wherever the ball hits and that’s a chronic issue vs the acute issue you are a describing.
Even as a kid I wondered about this. Was never keen on heading the ball (not that I had much passion for soccer).
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170215131600.htmfom 2017...
Evidence of brain damage found in former soccer players
Evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a potential cause of dementia caused by repeated blows to the head, has been found in the brains of former association football (soccer) players.
www.sciencedaily.com
TLDR:
14 retires professional FA players with dementia were studied. Six had their brains examined after they had died.
Of the 6 studied, 4 had CTE.
Of the 14 studied, only 6 reported concussion with loss of consciousness while playing football, each only suffering one concussion during their playing career.
More study needed, but seems likely the repeated heading of the ball may have a cumulative effect.
Yep. I'd like to know how rates of dementia with CTE for former players compares with the general population. Actual evidence is pretty sketchy IMO.
On a related note, a healthy percentage of serial killers suffered significant head trauma as children.
Massive issue in Football. Alan Shearer just did a doco on it, and being good at it doesn't spare you. Skull might be harder but the brain isn't. Heading will be banned within 10 years for sure.In soccer it’s in the technique of how to head the ball. Always with the forehead which is arguably the hardest part of the head. I have done this a million times. No ill effect at all. Some might argue against this
Thinking through this though. Proper heading technique is to header through the ball, like a kick really. You're not so much being hit by the ball, rather you are hitting it. As you come through, upper body, neck, head, push through the ball. The hit doesn't suddenly jerk your head back, stop it or retard the movement of your head. Would the brain be knocked around in that situation?
correct. a proper header doesn't jolt your head to cause your brain to smash the inside of your skull. You're either, as you said, following through with the motion, or your head and neck are still and the ball bounces off the head. Because you are prepared, the neck muscles are stopping any major jolt of the head.
That's really disturbing. But not surprising; our brain functioning determines what we do, or don't do.
Yes, Bear, because physics.
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
The force at which the ball impacts your head forces your head backwards. The speed at which your head is forced backwards depends on the speed of the ball and the relative masses of the ball and your head. Also, from the viewpoint of an external observer the head may not seem to be forced backwards if the head is moving forward at the same time, but from the viewpoint of the head (imagine a camera attached to the head) there will be a backwards force. This will result in a movement of the brain relative to the skull. This is somewhat dampened by the cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, but with sufficient force the dampening or cushioning effect will be overcome and this will cause the brain to collide with the bone of the skull.
For a thought experiment fill a square glass container (skull) with water (cerebrospinal fluid) and place a marble (brain of a Collingwood supporter) in the container in the center. Seal the container. Apply a sudden force to the container that causes it to shift to the right. The marble will shift its location in the container towards the left.
Yes, Bear, because physics.
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
The force at which the ball impacts your head forces your head backwards. The speed at which your head is forced backwards depends on the speed of the ball and the relative masses of the ball and your head. Also, from the viewpoint of an external observer the head may not seem to be forced backwards if the head is moving forward at the same time, but from the viewpoint of the head (imagine a camera attached to the head) there will be a backwards force. This will result in a movement of the brain relative to the skull. This is somewhat dampened by the cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, but with sufficient force the dampening or cushioning effect will be overcome and this will cause the brain to collide with the bone of the skull.
For a thought experiment fill a square glass container (skull) with water (cerebrospinal fluid) and place a marble (brain of a Collingwood supporter) in the container in the center. Seal the container. Apply a sudden force to the container that causes it to shift to the right. The marble will shift its location in the container towards the left.
Obviously a Whately post, rather than a Robbo post in an AFL360 thread
Yeah, I see what you mean, the force/impact is still there despite outer momentum not being impacted as much.
Was about to conduct suggested experiment. ...unable to locate a small enough marble.
I didn’t have any water so I used beer. And I couldnt find a marble so I used a Malteser.For a thought experiment fill a square glass container (skull) with water (cerebrospinal fluid) and place a marble (brain of a Collingwood supporter) in the container in the center. Seal the container. Apply a sudden force to the container that causes it to shift to the right. The marble will shift its location in the container towards the left.
Test results? Delicious.
