- Recent studies indicate that heading the ball in soccer games can result in cognitive decline.
- Some World Cup players are using a neck apparatus called Q-Collar for protection.
- This FDA-approved device limits brain movement within the skull by using blood as a cushion.
The 2023 World Cup has officially begun.
Superstars from around the world have arrived in Australia and New Zealand to compete for soccer’s ultimate prize. However, just prior to the start of this prestigious tournament, a groundbreaking study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) further solidified the potential risks associated with playing the sport.
The study focused on more than 450 retired professional male soccer players in the UK and examined their cognitive impairment and the frequency of ball heading during their careers. The researchers found that the risk of cognitive impairment increased with the cumulative frequency of heading, supporting previous studies suggesting that heading the ball could lead to brain injuries.
AP Photo/Abbie Parr
While the JAMA study focused on male athletes, past research has shown that female soccer players are significantly more prone to concussions and other brain injuries than their male counterparts. The exact reasons for this heightened susceptibility are still unclear, but some prevailing theories propose that factors such as having less muscular necks, faster brain metabolisms, and varying hormone levels depending on the menstrual cycle phase may contribute to the disparity.
Although it is indisputable that female athletes are at a higher risk, the high stakes and pride associated with the World Cup, along with the historic $110 million prize pool, make it likely that participating players will continue to head the ball without hesitation. This is where the Q-Collar comes into play.
The Q-Collar is a horseshoe-shaped silicone device designed to protect the brain from the inside. Dr. David Smith, the inventor of the Q-Collar and a former internist, explains that the device applies mild compression against the jugular veins, causing a small backfilling into the cranial space. The resulting build-up of blood acts as a cushion, preventing excessive brain movement within the skull that can lead to brain injuries.
In addition to players like Quinn and Rodríguez, who wear the Q-Collar during matches, many football and lacrosse players at the collegiate and professional levels have also adopted the device for protection, according to The New York Times. In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Q-Collar for sale as a medical device. Although there is some debate among researchers about the methodology used in studies supporting its efficacy, the FDA concluded that no significant adverse events were associated with the device.
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