Scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden studied the medical records of more than 6,000 football players who played in the Swedish top flight from 1924 to 2019. After careful analysis, the researchers concluded that professional football players are many times more likely to suffer from dementia than ordinary people from a randomized sample, writes The Lancet.
According to experts, the risk in athletes is increased by one and a half times.
The researchers also found that a neurodegenerative disease developed in 537 men (that’s 9%). Compared with the control group, which included 56 thousand 168 people, then 3 thousand 485 Swedes suffered from senile dementia – this is 6% of respondents.
It is curious that Alzheimer’s disease (and other types of dementia) was most often diagnosed in professional football players. But the risk of Parkinson’s disease was lower, as well as overall mortality (40% versus 42%).
Scientists were also able to identify that dangerous pathologies most often attack field players (forwards and defenders). Goalkeepers suffer less often. Experts are sure: frequent blows to the head with the ball are to blame. If you overdo it with the force of hitting the ball, you can earn a severe bruise or even a concussion.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
