Trying on the mixed metrics of Scotland in comparison with 10 high leagues across the continent, there are greater than 35% extra heading actions in Scotland.
The figures could not come as a shock to those that watch Scottish soccer regularly, however they do throw up questions on what it means for the dialogue round security.
For the reason that dying of former England centre-forward Jeff Astle from dementia in 2002, scientists have more and more linked repeated head impacts to power traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which might additionally result in neurodegenerative illness.
In January, a coroner investigating the dying of former Scotland and Manchester Utd centre-half Gordon McQueen stated: “I’m happy that, on the stability of chance, repeatedly heading footballs contributed to his growing power traumatic encephalopathy.”
A discipline examine by Glasgow College in 2019 discovered that former skilled footballers had been three-and-a-half occasions extra prone to develop neurodegenerative illness. That determine was even larger for defenders.
“I truly regarded, a number of years in the past, on the heading charges throughout World Cups, going all the way in which again to 1966,” Dr Willie Stewart, who led the examine, stated.
“The stats truly confirmed that the quantities of headers in video games had been growing over that 50-year interval, reasonably than declining, as some individuals might need thought – so I am not too shocked.”
In 2022, the Scottish FA launched numerous adjustments aimed toward minimising the chance.
Heading the ball was banned for under-12s and, within the skilled sport, there was a ban on heading the ball throughout coaching the day earlier than and after a match.
Golf equipment had been additionally instructed to restrict coaching workout routines that contain repeated heading to at least one session per week.
The SFA’s chief medical officer Dr Jonny Gordon stated: “The Scottish FA has led the way in which in analysis into head trauma in sport, working in partnership with the College of Glasgow in a landmark 2020 discipline examine and extra analysis revealed in 2022.
“We are going to proceed to observe steering primarily based on evolving analysis as a part of the affiliation’s dedication to making sure the nationwide sport is a secure and pleasant atmosphere for all gamers.”
