[Effect of heading in soccer on the head--a quantifying EEG study of soccer players]

We observed a patient with epileptic seizures as a consequence of an occipital contre coup injury, due to heading in football. We decided to investigate the EEGs of ten healthy football players by computerized EEG analysis during their "header training". One player's EEG showed focal slowing, there were no clinical symptoms. The EEG of the other players showed only signs of relaxation after training. These results lead us to the following conclusions: - Cerebral damage due to heading in football cannot be assumed in general. - In predisposed persons, however, the microtrauma caused by heading can lead to clinical manifestation. - Subclinical cerebral disfunction due to heading is possible. However, long term studies should be performed to prove that there might be a risk of permanent cerebral damage in football players, as has already been established in boxing.