A recent study of male footballers found that they were 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia compared to the general population.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, published their findings which compared 6000 elite footballers with over 56000 non-footballers. The research spans over a few years – from 1924 to 2019.

Leader of the research team, Peter Ueda, says this shows that elite male footballers are at ‘serious risk’ of developing degenerative brain disorders. The team found among players in the Swedish top division that 9% were diagnosed with neuro-degenerative disease. When compared with the 6% of the control group.

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Goalkeepers are the exception

The study further examined the differences in cognitive health for outfield players and goalkeepers. The team discovered that outfield players had a 1.6 increased risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia compared to the general sample.

However, goalkeepers had no increased risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Peter Ueda explains:

One hypothesis is that the repetitive striking of the ball with the head is the reason players are at greater risk, and seeing the difference between goalkeepers and outfield players supports this theory

It is important to note that goalkeepers very rarely head the ball, “supporting the hypothesis that mild head impacts sustained when heading the ball could explain the increased risk in outfield players,” said the report.

NOTE: a head injury is one of the factors that increases the risk of dementia, other factors include:

• depression
• high blood pressure
• smoking
• high alcohol consumption
• old age
• genetics
• inactivity and obesity

The researchers admit they did not have access to detailed lifestyle information during this study. Nor did they have information on how many head injuries the footballer experienced.

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Other neuro-diseases in footballers

Many of the players affected by dementia played elite football during the 1950s and 60. This is when footballs were heavier and made of leather. But the research found no significant risk of footballers contracting motor neurone disease.

Researchers also found that the risk of Parkinson’s disease and overall mortality was lower for football players, compared to the general public. The academics suggest this might be the case because of them “maintaining good physical fitness from frequently playing football”.

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When comparing the risk of neurodegenerative disease among outfield players to goalkeepers, the players had a 1.4 times higher risk of the disease compared to goalkeepers.

Previous research

This research follows a 2019 Scottish report which found that former footballers were 3.5 more likely to develop dementia – and other neurological diseases. A study from 2022, also found that football players were more likely to experience worse brain health after 65 years old, compared to non-footballers.

This information has caused waves in the football community. In England, the Football Association, is assessing a ban on children under 12 from heading the ball.

If successful, it will apply to the International Football Association Board for a law change.  To remove heading the ball for the age group entirely.