Effect of soccer heading ball speed on S100B, sideline concussion assessments and head impact kinematics

AbstractObjective: To examine the effect of soccer heading ball speed on S-100B serum concentration, concussion sideline assessments and linear head impact acceleration.Methods: Sixteen division I soccer players participated in this pre-test post-test design study. Athletes performed five standing headers over a 10 minute period at 30 (n = 5), 40 (n = 5) or 50 (n = 6) miles per hour (mph) (randomized). S-100B serum concentration (ng mL−1) and sideline concussion assessments were measured prior to and post-heading. Peak resultant linear head acceleration (gravitational units; g) was measured during soccer heading.Results: No statistically significant interaction effects were identified between ball velocity groups over time on S100B (effect sizes ranged from 0.03–0.23) or concussion assessments tests. There was a non-significant increase (p = 0.06) in head impact acceleration from the 30 (30.6; SD = 6.2 g) to 50 mph (50.7; SD = 7.7 g) ball speed.Conclusions: In this controlled setting, an acute bout of soc...