Footballers more likely to suffer depression and anxiety - study

Footballers more likely to suffer depression and anxiety - studyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A new study has found significant differences between the brains of former footballers and those of the general populationByDaniel AustinBBC Sport senior journalistPublished2 minutes agoA new study into the brain health of former footballers has found they are much more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and difficulties with thinking and decision-making in mid-life than the general population.Of the 124 former professional players aged 30-60 who were tested, 31% scored in a range indicating clinically significant depression, according to the Imperial College London findings, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference.That is 22% higher than a group of healthy adults with no history of playing contact sports or head injuries, with whom the study compared the footballers' results.The study received funding from the Football Association and Professional Footballers' Association, and those tested included former Premier League, Championship and Women's Super League players.The findings come amid growing scrutiny on the impact of heading in football on brain health, following a series of cases in which neurological illness has been linked to the deaths of former players, including Manchester United and Leeds legend Gordon McQueen.Redesigned ball could reduce heading impact - scientistsPublished20 AprilHow does a match with 'no heading' work?Published27 September 2021'Footballers' brains have reduced volume and grey matter'In the range indicating clinically significant anxiety symptoms, 42% of the former footballers reached the threshold, compared with 25% of non-footballers.Brain imaging of footballers found noticeably lower grey-matter volumes in several areas of the brain which are key for memory, maintaining attention, decision-making and emotional regulation.There was also evidence of red...