Reducing purposeful headers from goal kicks and punts may reduce cumulative exposure to head acceleration.
The purpose of this study was to measure peak linear and rotational head acceleration in women's collegiate soccer and explore the variations in acceleration across different strategic scenarios. Game videos from 14 games were used to identify the strategic scenario in which the athlete headed the ball. Strategic scenarios included: bounce, secondary header, punt, throw-in, goal kick, corner kick, and kick. Peak linear and rotational accelerations were measured using the Smart Impact Monitor (Triax Technologies Inc., Norwalk, CT). Goal kick (38.8 ± 19.4 g, p = 0.001, ß = 8.9; 9.3 ± 3.9 krad/s2, p = 0.004, ß = 1.9) and punt (36.0 ± 15.1 g, p = 0.055, ß = 6.3; 10.1 ± 4.8 krad/s2, p = 0.002, ß = 2.5) impacts resulted in higher linear and rotational head accelerations than the base variable, kick (30.0 ± 19.5 g; 7.5 ± 4.1 krad/s2). This suggests that limiting headers from goal kicks and punts in younger athletes who are still learning proper heading technique may limit cumulative linear and rotational accelerations.
a Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.|b Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.
Jaclyn B
JB
Caccese
b Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.
Lindsey C
LC
Lamond
a Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.|b Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.
Thomas A
TA
Buckley
a Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.|b Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.
Thomas W
TW
Kaminski
D000054:Acceleration; D061725:Accelerometry; D000328:Adult; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult
Soccer; concussion; repetitive head impacts; subconcussion