This study linked routine health data on 7,676 former professional football players and 23,028 controls from the general population matched by age, sex and deprivation. These data provided over 18 years of follow-up information on medication use, hospital admissions and deaths.

What did the study show?

The study showed that, whilst former football players were healthier than the general public in most regards – for example, less likely to die from heart disease and lung cancer - they were 3.5 times more likely to die from neurodegenerative disease. Former footballers were 5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, 4 times more likely to develop Motor Neurone Disease, and twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease.

The increased risk was specific to outfield players, rather than goalkeepers, strengthening the evidence that repeatedly heading the ball was the likely cause.

The FIELD study attracted substantial media coverage and led directly to important changes in policy aimed at reducing the risk of brain injury.

Changes on the pitch

  • Three national football associations (England, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and the grassroots youth football organisation in Scotland either banned or restricted children from heading balls in training, depending on their age.
  • New guidance came into force on heading during training for both professional and adult amateur footballers in England.
  • The FA announced that a heading ban for players aged 12 years or younger would be trialled in England.
  • The Scottish Football Association banned professional footballers playing in Scotland from heading the ball during training on both the day before and the day after a match.
  • The rule-making body for football internationally is running trials of permanent substitutions for professional footballers who experience actual or suspected concussion during a match.

Government action

  • A UK Parliament inquiry on Concussion in Sport made recommendations requiring action from the UK Government, the Health and Safety Executive, NHS England, UK Sport, National Governing Bodies (e.g. the Football Association), and the Faculty of Exercise and Sport Medicine.
  • The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport appointed a Ministerial Advisor for concussion in sport.
  • The issue of whether dementia in former professional footballers should be considered an industrial disease has been discussed in both Westminster and Holyrood, with cross party support in both parliaments.
  • The UK Government published Concussion Guidance for Grassroots Sport in 2023.

Brain health research and support

  • The Professional Footballers Association and Premier League jointly set up a fund to support former footballers with brain health concerns. 
  • The FA funded an Advanced Brain Health Clinic based in the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health and in collaboration with Imperial College London to provide specialist clinical services for former footballers with brain health concerns. 
  • The Professional Footballers Association established a Brain Health Department providing help and support for former players and education for current players. 

 

First published: 16 April 2025

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