The UEFA Heading Study: Heading incidence in children's and youth' football (soccer) in eight European countries

Abstract

To assess the real‐life magnitude of the heading incidence in children's and youth’ football in eight European countries with different “football cultures,” a cross‐sectional observational design, in which one match per team in 480 different teams from eight European countries (2017/18‐2018/19), was recorded by video. One training session was recorded in 312 teams. Clubs with Under‐10, Under‐12 (female/male/mixed), and Under‐16 female and male teams were eligible to participate. Heading frequencies and types were analyzed. Results are presented as headers per match/training and per team. Incidence rates (IR) per 1000 match/training hours were calculated. Under‐10 teams carried out the lowest average number of headers per match (8.8), followed by Under‐16 female (17.7), Under‐12 (18.4), and Under‐16 male (35.5). Total number of headers per match and team varied between countries. 80% of the total number of headers were single intentional headers, 12% heading duels, 3% unintentional headers by getting hit, and 5% others (trends apparent in all age groups). Three head injuries occurred during match play corresponding to an IR of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.23‐2.16). The lowest number of headers per training and team was found in Under‐10 (21.3), followed by Under‐16 females (34.1), Under‐12 (35.8), and Under‐16 males (45.0). In conclusion, this large‐scale study presents novel data about the number and type of headers in youth’ football throughout Europe. A more precise understanding of the heading incidence, specifically in young players, is mandatory for the debate of restrictions on heading in youth football.