Heading in football raises risk of dementia

The Dutch Health Council warns that head contact in sports, such as heading in football, increases the risk of dementia and other brain diseases.

The advice is to use the head less during sports, for example by adjusting the rules of play or using lighter balls. This also applies to rugby players and combat sports athletes. Limiting head contact is especially important for children, as they are extra vulnerable to brain injury.

The Dutch Health Council emphasises that continuing to play sports is important to reduce the risk of dementia, but that heading brings additional risks.

Belgium

In Belgium, the rules around heading in youth football have already been tightened: heading is forbidden up to age 9, with plans to extend this to age 13. The Dutch Sports Council will soon issue additional recommendations for athletes and sports associations.

(PP with GF - Source: ANP, NOS - Picture: DPA picture alliance / NurPhoto | Eyepix)