An Acute Bout of Soccer Heading Subtly Alters Neurovascular Coupling Metrics.

The current investigation examined how a bout of soccer heading may impact brain function. Semi-randomized crossover cohort. Controlled soccer heading. Seven male soccer players (24.1 ± 1.5 years). 40 successful soccer headers were performed in 20 min (25 m, launch velocity ~80 km/h). X2 xPatch recorded linear and rotational head accelerations during each impact. A contact control " condition - ball made body contact, but not by the head; and a no activity time " condition were also completed. Posterior and middle cerebral artery (PCA and MCA, respectively), cerebral blood velocity (CBV) was recorded during a visual task (neurovascular coupling: NVC) alongside SCAT3 symptoms scores pre/post a controlled bout of soccer heading. Cumulative linear and rotational accelerations were 1,574 ± 97.9 g and 313,761 ± 23,966 rads/s, respectively, during heading and changes in SCAT3 symptom number (pre: 2.6 ± 3.0; post: 6.7 ± 6.2, = ) and severity (pre: 3.7 ± 3.6, post: 9.4 ± 7.6, = ) were unchanged. In the PCA, no NVC differences were observed, including: relative CBV increase (28.0 ± 7.6% = ) and total activation (188.7 ± 68.1 cm, = ). However, MCA-derived NVC metrics were blunted following heading, demonstrating decreased relative CBV increase (7.8 ± 3.1%, = ) and decreased total activation (26.7 ± 45.3 cm, = ). Although an acute bout of soccer heading did not result in an increase of concussion-like symptoms, there were alterations in NVC responses within the MCA during a visual task. This suggests an acute bout of repetitive soccer heading can alter CBV regulation within the region of the brain associated with the header impacts.