Redesigned Ball Could Reduce Heading Impact – Scientists

Scientists believe footballs could be designed to reduce the impact of heading after new research found that the action causes a previously unreported pressure wave to transfer energy 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 the impacts of 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, for the first time, a distinctive pressure wave that transfers energy into the frontal region of the brain.

The amount depended on the ball’s design, its speed it was travelling at, and whether it was dry or wet.

It also revealed that the leather balls used in previous decades did not necessarily produce higher results than newer models.

The grey head of a crash dummy, with white sensors at various points on the face, is being hit by a white and black football on its right-hand side against a black background