Redesigned ball could reduce heading impact - scientists

Redesigned ball could reduce heading impact - scientistsImage source, Loughborough UniversityImage caption, Scientists are studying the relationship between heading a football and neurodegenerative illnesses ByDan RoanSports editorPublished13 minutes agoScientists believe footballs could be designed to reduce the impact of heading after new research discovered the action caused a previously unreported pressure wave energy transfer to the brain.The Football Association-backed study by Loughborough University found this was up to 55 times greater in some footballs than others.The research looked at impacts between a range of balls used over the past century and an advanced surrogate head model, at match speeds.Using a specialist pressure sensor positioned within the model, they observed a distinctive pressure wave that transfers energy into the frontal region of the brain for the first time.The amount was dependent on the design of ball, the speed it was travelling at, and whether it is dry or wet.It also revealed that the leather balls used in previous decades did not necessarily produce higher results than newer models.Image source, Loughborough UniversityImage caption, Scientists used a model head to test energy transfer through the head when struck by a football"There are examples of balls that transfer high or low energy through all eras of play" said Andy Harland, professor of sports technology at Loughborough University."There is no trend that suggests the magnitude of energy transfer is increasing or decreasing over time."Our evidence suggests that high energy pressure wave transfer was not limited to leather balls, so, if this energy is associated with neurodegenerative disease, it is not a problem that has gone away with modern balls."It comes with football under mounting pressure to take more action on brain injuries, and renewed scrutiny on the relationship between heading and neurodegenerative illnesses.In January, a senior corone...