Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
(Health Day)
Friday, March 17, 2023 (HealthDay News) — It’s well established that American football players can experience significant brain damage as they age.
Now, a new study shows that elite European soccer players are more likely than the average person to develop dementia.
Between 1924 and 2019, men in Sweden’s top soccer division were 1.5 times more likely to develop neurodegenerative disease than men in the control group.
A study of more than 6,000 athletes found an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
However, it did not increase the risk of motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). In addition, the risk of Parkinson’s disease was even lower than in age-, sex-, and region-matched controls.
Unlike outfielders, goalkeepers were not at increased risk of dementia. This supports the theory that heading the ball increases risk, according to a report published on March 16. lancet public health.
“Goalkeepers rarely head the ball unlike outfielders, but they are exposed to similar environments and lifestyles. [soccer] Career, and maybe even after retirement.” Peter Uedaassistant professor at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.
“It is hypothesized that repeated minor head injuries from heading are the cause. [soccer] Players are at higher risk, and the difference in neurodegenerative disease risk between the two types of players may support this theory,” Ueda added in the journal’s news release.
Researchers found that about 9% of elite Swedish football players were diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease, compared to 6% in the control group. Most of the participants were still alive when data collection ended, so the lifetime risk for both groups may be higher.
About 8% of soccer players were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, compared with 5% in the control group, researchers report.
A previous study from Scotland suggested that soccer players were 3.5 times more likely to develop neurodegenerative disease. This has prompted moves in some European football organizations to reduce headings for younger players.
“Although the increased risk in our study is slightly smaller than the previous study from Scotland, elite soccer players have been confirmed to have an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease later in life.”Sports As the world calls for greater measures to protect brain health, our study adds to the limited evidence base that can be used to guide decisions on how to manage these risks. increase.”
Overall mortality during the study period was slightly lower in elite soccer players compared to controls, approximately 40% vs. 42%.
The low mortality rate among soccer players indicates that their overall health is better than that of the general population, presumably because playing makes them physically fit. Stated. Dr. Bjorn Pasternaksenior researcher at the Karolinska Institutet.
“Because physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of dementia, it can be hypothesized that the potential risk from impact to the head is somewhat offset by having good physical fitness.” disease risk.”
The study’s authors said they weren’t sure the findings could be generalized to today’s players.
Most players in the study who were old enough to develop either of these conditions played elite football in the mid-20th century, rather than recently.
Since then, football has undergone changes that may affect the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as switching from leather to synthetic balls.
Playstyles, training and equipment have also changed.
On the other hand, as is now more common, more intense training and play at a younger age may increase risk. I’m not sure if it’s possible.
sauce: lancet public healthNews Release, March 16, 2023
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