The effect of football heading on blood biomarkers of brain injury
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN44241334 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN44241334 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | NICR 2024 11040 13581 |
- Submission date
- 09/09/2025
- Registration date
- 11/09/2025
- Last edited
- 09/09/2025
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Nervous System Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
This study will explore how heading a football affects markers of brain health in the blood. We know that professional footballers have a higher risk of developing dementia and other brain diseases later in life, but the role of heading the ball in this process is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate whether a single session of controlled football heading causes short-term changes in blood markers linked to brain injury. These biomarkers are proteins that can be measured in blood samples and may reflect damage to brain cells. By testing these biomarkers at several timepoints after heading, we will examine the short-term time course of the biological effects of heading.
Who can participate?
Healthy adult volunteers who regularly play football and have experience with heading can take part in this study. Both men and women can participate. People with recent head or neck injuries, neurological or psychiatric conditions, or other health problems that could interfere with the study will not be eligible.
What does the study involve?
In this study, volunteers will take part in two sessions: one where they perform a set number of headers with a football, and another where they do not. Blood samples will be taken at several timepoints (before heading [baseline] and after 30 minutes and 2, 4 and 24 hours) in the heading session and matched timepoints in the control session. These samples will be tested for proteins linked to brain cell damage. Participants will also have their vision and symptoms assessed. The researchers will also use computer simulations to model the forces experienced by the head during heading.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This study will not provide direct medical benefit to participants. However, participants will contribute to important research that may help us better understand the effects of heading on brain health and inform safer sporting practices. The risks of participation are low. Only indiviuals with experience of football heading will be recruited. All laboratory procedures will be carried out by trained staff and safety will be carefully monitored.
Where is the study run from?
The study is being run from the University of Stirling in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
December 2023 to September 2026
Who is funding the study?
The study is supported by Medical Research Scotland and the RS Macdonald Facility Access run by SULSA and SINPASE. The funders will have no role in study design or analysis.
Who is the main contact?
Magdalena Ietswaart, mi9@stir.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1786 473171 |
|---|---|
| mi9@stir.ac.uk |
Public, Scientific
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-1361-1041 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)1786 473171 |
| sam24@stir.ac.uk |
Public, Scientific
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH9 3JL
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)131 650 1000 |
|---|---|
| thomas.aston@ed.ac.uk |
Public, Scientific
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1786 473171 |
|---|---|
| colin.moran@stir.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Within-subject repeated-measures experimental design |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised cross over trial |
| Study setting(s) | University/medical school/dental school |
| Study type | Other |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet. |
| Scientific title | Acute temporal dynamics of plasma biomarkers following a controlled football heading paradigm |
| Study objectives | Investigate the acute effects of controlled football heading on blood plasma biomarkers of neuronal and glial injury (NfL, GFAP, UCH-L1, BD-Tau) compared to a no-activity control condition. This study aims to characterise the temporal dynamics of biomarker release across five serial sampling timepoints (pre-heading, post-30 min, 2 h, 4 h and 24 h). |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 25/05/2024, NHS, Invasive or Clinical Research Panel (NICR) (University of Stirling, Cottrell 3B1, Stirling, FK9 4LA, United Kingdom; +44 (0)1786 473171; nicr@stir.ac.uk), ref: NICR 2024 11040 13581 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Risk-factors for long-term neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated subconcussive head impact exposure |
| Intervention | Each participant will undergo two conditions (Heading and Control) separated by at least 7 days. In the heading condition, participants will perform a controlled series of 10 rotational football headers using a ball launcher. For the Control condition, the sampling points will be matched to the Heading condition. All participants will complete both conditions with participants serving as their own controls. Condition order will be counterbalanced across participants. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | Plasma concentration of Neurofilament Light (NfL), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Ubiquitin C-terminal Hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and Brain-Derived Tau (BD-Tau) measured using the Quanterix Simoa Neurology 4-plex D assay on a Simoa HD-X Analyzer at pre-determined timepoints (pre-heading [baseline] and post-30 min, 2 h, 4 h, and 24 h) in the Heading session and matched timepoints in the Control condition. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Near Point of Convergence (NPC) measured using an accommodative ruler at Pre-heading and at 0 h, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, and 24 h post-intervention 2. Symptom evaluation and cognitive function measured using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) at Pre-heading and 0h, and 24 h post-intervention 3. Linear and rotational head acceleration measured at each head impact during the Heading condition. 4. Anthropometric measures (height, weight, neck circumference, head circumference, grip strength) measured using standardised equipment at a familiarisation session 5. Finite Element Head Model (FEHM) estimates of brain tissue strain and stress derived from recorded impact kinematics for each heading impact during the Heading condition |
| Overall study start date | 15/12/2023 |
| Completion date | 30/09/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 65 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 12 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Healthy adult football players that participate in footballing activity of a regular basis (at least once a week) 2. Confirm to normally head the ball in football practice or match scenarios |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Neurological or psychiatric conditions 2. Are currently taking or in withdrawal of recreational drugs or certain prescribed drugs 3. Consumption of >3u alcohol in the 24 hours prior to testing (self-reported) 4. Excessive intake of caffeinated drink in the hours prior to assessment (self-reported) 5. Recently (i.e. less than 6 months prior to testing) experienced trauma to the head (concussion, loss of senses, any type of brain injury) 6. Position the individual plays in the squad (goalkeepers and players who do not regularly head the ball are not eligible to take part) |
| Date of first enrolment | 16/09/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/07/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
Study participating centres
Stirling
FK9 4LA
United Kingdom
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1786 473171 |
|---|---|
| nicola.cowieson@stir.ac.uk | |
| Website | https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties/natural-sciences/psychology/ |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/045wgfr59 |
Funders
Funder type
Charity
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
- Alternative name(s)
- MRS
- Location
- United Kingdom
No information available
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 15/12/2026 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in peer-reviewed journals and stakeholder involvement. |
| IPD sharing plan | Commited to open science, the the data-sharing plans will be made available at a later date. |
Editorial Notes
09/09/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the NHS, Invasive or Clinical Research Panel (NICR).
