An English study of former Scottish professional players shows an increased risk of dying from a neurodegenerative disease compared to the rest of the population.
A study entitled “The influence of football on lifelong health and the risk of dementia”, conducted on former Scottish professional players, was presented in London.
The study, commissioned by the Football Association of England (FA), shows that the risk of death from neurodegenerative diseases was three and a half times higher than for the rest of the population (five times more Alzheimer’s and twice as high for Parkinson’s disease).
The medical records of 7,676 players who played in Scotland between 1900 and 1976 were compared with 23,000 medical records of the general population in this study, carried out by a neuropathologist, Dr. Willie Stewart of the University of Glasgow.
Former athletes, on the other hand, are less likely to die from other common diseases, such as heart problems or certain types of cancer, particularly lung cancer.
The study also revealed a lower death rate of ex-soccer until the age of 70, but a higher death rate thereafter.
“There are also wider potential benefits associated with playing soccer”.
“Although efforts must be made to identify the factors that contribute to this increased risk of neurodegenerative disease, in order to reduce it, there are also wider potential benefits associated with playing football that should be taken into account,” said Dr. Stewart.
But “the study does not determine whether it is the shocks suffered by professional footballers, the management of concussion, head plays, the style of play or the personal lifestyle of players or other factors,” which underlie this statistical discrepancy, the FA said in a statement.
The study was reviewed by an independent sports medical advisory group which recommends further action regarding the treatment of head injuries and supports UEFA’s proposals for the introduction of temporary replacements in case of concussion.
