Is heading the ball harmful?

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

An English study into whether heading a football can cause brain trauma will begin in January, investigating an issue that has been widely debated since the activity was blamed for contributing to a former star striker’s dementia.

A BBC documentary presented by former England captain Alan Shearer this month highlighted the case of Jeff Astle, who died aged 59 in 2002.

An inquest found that repeatedly heading a heavy leather football during his career was a factor in former West Brom player’s Astle’s dementia.

The study, which will involve 15,000 former professional footballers, was announced on yesterday by the English FA.

William Stewart, who provided medical evidence in the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Astle’s death, will lead the study entitled ‘Football’s Influence on Lifelong Health and Dementia Risk’. “After two years of research and development, the FA and the Professional Footballers’ Association have confirmed their commitment to commissioning an evidence-based study,” FA said.