title: Relationship of soccer heading to computerized neurocognitive performance and symptoms among female and male youth soccer players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between soccer heading and computerized neurocognitive performance and symptoms in female and male youth soccer players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional and prospective design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 63 (27 females, 36 males) youth soccer players aged 13-18 years (M = 15.89, SD = 1.17) participated in the study. Participants completed the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) and symptom report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Computerized neurocognitive performance (e.g., verbal and visual memory, motor processing, and reaction time) and symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in neurocognitive performance or symptoms among low-, moderate-, and high-exposure header groups. The current sample outperformed the 10th percentile norms for neurocognitive and symptom scores. Males headed the ball more frequently and reported lower verbal and visual memory and motor processing speed scores than females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current findings did not support a relationship between soccer heading and computerized neurocognitive performance and symptoms. The researchers suggest that any purported effects of soccer heading in youth are subtle and may affect only a small number of athletes. The reported sex differences in heading exposure warrant further attention.
authors: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Pennsylvania, USA. mail- akontos@pitt.edu
authors: Anthony P
authors: AP
authors: Kontos
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Dolese
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Elbin
authors: Tracey
authors: T
authors: Covassin
authors: Barbara L
authors: BL
authors: Warren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D012916:Soccer; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires