healthmedicinet

Some schools in America have already banned children from heading the ball
during games.

Dr Grey said: “I do not think that children should stop sport, the obesity
epidemic means we need to encourage them.

“But we do need to look at rule changes and the way we train children.

“Children should not be heading the ball. We don’t know at what age children’s
necks become strong enough to withstand the movement of the head when the
head is struck by the ball.

“Some of my colleagues have suggested 14 but I really think it is individual.

“In addition the brain starts to shake and rotates when the head is struck by
the ball.

“The brain bounces back and forth and it is the impact of the brain against
the inside of the skull causes additional damage.”

Jeff Astle West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle died in 2002 from a brain
disease and the coroner ruled it as ‘industrial disease’ suggesting his
profession had caused the damage.

A report by MP, Chris Bryant and paralympic gold medalist and member of the
House of Lords, Baroness Grey-Thompson, entitled ‘Concussion can kill’
called for a parliamentary investigation into head injuries in sport and
warned that law suits could follow.

Published in June, the report asks if steps can be taken to limit the number
of times players had the ball in football, particularly youth players.

It said there should be a set of consistent guidelines across all sports to
ensure concussion is diagnosed promptly and the player appropriately
treated.

The new FA rules have angered the family of Mr Astle.

Dawn Astle, his daughter, said: “We know what killed dad, the coroner’s
court said it was industrial disease: heading footballs killed dad and the
Football Association just don’t acknowledge it.

“Twelve-and-a-half years on, they still haven’t acknowledged what killed
him.

“We have real worries, not just for current footballers, and of course
not just professionals – we’re talking about amateurs as well – but about
football’s future, about the children in the game.

“They need to know the risks, then they can make informed choices.”

Mark Gould, a coach who runs Sport4Kids, told Sky News: “There’s very
little really on coaching heading.

“The traditions that have persevered through the generations are; use
your forehead, making sure that you keep your eyes on the ball, and it’s
common sense really – keep your eyes closed.

“But there’s no explicit guidelines given, not at the moment. Any
guidance the FA can give is going to be a bonus.”

Dr Grey added: “There is a considerable amount of newer evidence coming
through showing the need to be concerned.

“Because it is such a new topic in the UK word really hasn’t filtered out
properly to the public.

“Our challenge is that because it is such a difficult issue. We know some
people are very susceptible to getting head injuries in these situations and
some are quite resilient and we don’t know why yet.

“We need to properly educate parents, coaches, referees about secondary
concussion syndrome, we need to invest in research but the biggest thing we
need to do is follow the existing guidelines, which include a test for
players.

“We need to develop good tests based on physiology not behaviour so it is not
possible for players to cheat.

“In essence we need to protect players from themselves.”