A heads up about Soccer

Soccer has really enjoyed a resurgence in America.  

American teams are becoming more and more competitive on the world scene.

It is a very highly skilled game where hands, except for the goalie, are forbidden.  Using your head to deflect or direct the ball is very common in soccer.  

A new study done by scientists at Imperial College in London, which has come to my attention as a Board Certified plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, FL,  examined the force of a soccer ball striking a players head.  This is a very rare study.  

The results?  Quite surprising.  

The forces generated were equal to the forces generated by amateur boxers and head gear offered little protection.  

Also a larger ball generated more force.  Do NOT over inflate because higher ball pressure means more force.  

With all the talk about head injuries in football and concussions, more studies and caution may be needed in soccer.