What Are the Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Footballers Developing Dementia?

We have heard many tales of how people start to get signs of dementia and then cannot control it in the further stage. It may cause a change in their personalities too. So, why are footballers at risk of developing dementia? Let’s dive into this pool of reason.

Recent Research about cases of Dementia

According to recent research conducted in Sweden, all player positions on a football team, with the exception of goalkeepers, showed an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

A recent study suggested that elite football players have a higher likelihood of developing dementia compared to the general population. The Lancet recently published findings from a study that analyzed the medical records of over 6,000 male football players in Sweden’s premier league, comparing them to more than 56,000 non-footballers from 1924 to 2019.

According to a study conducted by the researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, football players are reportedly 1.5 times more prone to developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias than the individuals from the control group.

The research, led by Peter Ueda of the Karolinska Institutet, emphasizes that elite male players are at substantial risk of suffering from degenerative brain disorders.

Why goalkeepers are risk-free?

If we ask why goalkeepers are not at risk, then the answer is that they need to head the ball.

Dr. Gill Livingston, a renowned professor of psychiatry of older individuals at the prestigious University College London, declared that the recently conducted study was a remarkable piece of work that contributed to the already substantial evidence of a correlation between football and dementia.

Will this threat affect the footballers?

The findings of this paper were nothing short of convincing, proving that players who frequently make contact with the ball display a greater susceptibility to the ailment. The prolific psychiatrist emphasized the need for action to safeguard the delicate craniums and cerebral cortexes of athletes, allowing them to continue playing the game they love.

“One hypothesis is that the repetitive striking of the ball with the head is the reason players are at greater risk, and seeing the difference between goalkeepers and outfield players supports this theory,” Ueda said.

The study discovered that there was no danger of developing motor neuron conditions like ALS for football players, and to top it off, an intense rush of excitement, they even had a slightly reduced risk of acquiring Parkinson’s disease.

Ueda highlighted the fact that the observational study does not provide conclusive evidence that playing football directly results in dementia. Additionally, it should be noted that the findings of this study cannot be generalized to female, amateur, or youth football players.

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A need for more safety measures for the footballers

“There are more and more voices calling for the sport to introduce more measures to protect brain health, and our study may help for t when making decisions to limit risks,” stated Ueda.

In recent times, there has been a surge in the amount of research conducted on head injuries in sports and the associated post-career effects, with a particular focus on sports like rugby and American football.

For instance, a study carried out by the University of Glasgow in the previous year discovered that retired rugby players have up to 15 times more likelihood of developing motor neuron disease compared to the general populace.

Other reasons why one can have dementia

But the risk of dementia can also there due to other reasons like:

• Age
• Family History
• Down Syndrome
• Poor heart health
• Brain injuries,

In a study conducted by Boston University in 2017, it was discovered that out of the 111 former National Football League players who had donated their brains for research, only one did not exhibit signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This condition typically develops after repeated head traumas and may result in behavioral alterations and persistent cognitive impairment.

Name of some footballers who have died or are suffering from dementia:

• Jeff Astle (1942-2002): In 2002, the legendary West Brom and England striker kicked the bucket at the ripe age of 59. Not long after, it came to light that Astle’s untimely demise was caused by an “industrial disease” – specifically, the harmful effects of repeatedly heading footballs.
• Peter Bonetti (1941-2020): We bid farewell to The Cat, Peter Bonetti, who passed away in April at the grand old age of 78. The nimble goalie, known for his agile moves, made a whopping 729 appearances for Chelsea over two stints and even represented the Three Lions at the 1970 World Cup. Sadly, his cat-like reflexes couldn’t protect him from Alzheimer’s disease, which he battled for quite some time. Despite the setback, he remained a proud member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad.

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• Tommy Carroll (1942-2020): “Our condolences to the late Republic of Ireland and Ipswich full-back who hung up his cleats at the age of 77. Sadly, he had to face his toughest opponent yet – dementia. He may have lost the match, but he will forever remain a champion in our hearts.”
• Stevie Chalmers (1935-2019): The individual who scored the pivotal goal for Celtic during their triumph over Internazionale in the 1967 European Cup has passed away precisely one week after his fellow Lisbon Lion, Billy McNeill. Chalmers, who suffered from dementia like McNeill, lived to the age of 83.
• Sir Bobby Charlton (1937-): The eminent footballer of England, widely acknowledged as the greatest, has been diagnosed with dementia as per the reveal made in the Daily Telegraph and with the consent of his wife, Lady Norma. Lady Norma anticipates that the revelation of Charlton’s condition, who played a crucial role in England’s triumph at the World Cup in 1966 and Manchester United’s conquest of the European Cup two years later, will assist others grappling with dementia.
• Jack Charlton (1935-2020): In July, a former football manager who guided the Republic of Ireland to two World Cups during the 1990s, and had previously won the trophy as a player with England in 1966, passed away at the age of 85. Reports indicate that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma and was also suffering from dementia at the time of his passing.
• Mike Tindall (1941-2020): In August, the ex-Aston Villa midfielder passed away after a prolonged battle with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Tindall, a lifelong Villa supporter and former player who amassed 120 appearances for the team, was 79 years old at the time of his passing.
• John Talbut (1940-2020): A former West Brom defender, known for being a part of the victorious 1968 FA Cup team, passed away in August at 79 years old. He had been battling dementia for six years prior to his passing.

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• Nobby Stiles (1942-2020): The latest member of England’s World Cup-winning squad, Stiles, passed away on Friday at the age of 78 due to a number of health issues, including dementia. He was also a member of Manchester United’s victorious European Cup team of 1968.
• Martin Peters (1943-2019): Peter, another esteemed player from the victorious English World Cup team, was responsible for scoring the second goal during the final match opposite West Germany. He died at a age of 76 due to dementia.

The National Football League (NFL) has implemented a concussion protocol for games that undergoes annual review to guarantee that players receive the latest and most appropriate medical care for the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions.

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