Does acute soccer heading cause an increase in plasma S100B? A randomized controlled trial.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Subconcussive head impacts are common in sports like soccer.
• S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) is a biomarker for astrocyte activation and brain injury.
• Understanding the acute effects of head impacts on S100B is crucial for assessing potential neurological consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute changes in plasma S100B following subconcussive head impacts from soccer heading.
• To compare S100B levels between soccer players performing headers versus a control group performing kicks.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 79 healthy adult soccer players.
• Participants were assigned to either a heading group (10 headers at 25 mph) or a kicking-control group (10 kicks).
• Plasma S100B levels were measured pre-intervention and at 0, 2, and 24 hours post-intervention.

Main Results:

• No significant group-by-time interaction for plasma S100B concentrations was observed between the heading and kicking groups at 2 hours or other time points.
• The heading group showed a statistically significant increase in plasma S100B at 24 hours post-intervention compared to baseline.
• No significant within-group changes in plasma S100B were found in the kicking-control group.

Conclusions:

• Ten acute, controlled soccer headers do not appear to elevate plasma S100B concentrations acutely up to 24 hours post-heading.
• The observed increase in S100B at 24 hours in the heading group warrants further investigation.
• Future dose-response studies with extended follow-up are needed to determine thresholds of soccer heading exposure related to astrocyte activation.