Head impact biomechanics in collegiate female soccer player

Understanding head impact biomechanics incurred during soccer participation may allow clinicians to better implement interventions designed to reduce injury incidence. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate head impact biomechanics during college soccer. We studied a cohort of Division I female soccer players, all of whom participated over the course of the season while wearing head impact measurement devices. We video recorded eighteen games over the season and characterized body position and anticipation of head collisions. The specific findings of more severe head impacts occurring in practices suggests that coaches should consider limiting the amount of time and the number of days spent on heading drills. While there is no evidence to indicate that such heading practices lead to concussion, prior research has pointed to the possibility that subconcussive impacts may be associated with declining neurocognitive function later in life.