Neurophysiological Responses to Heading in Soccer. A Systematic Review of EEG-Based Analysis

Background: Repeated soccer heading may induce neurophysiological brain changes. While structural alterations have been observed, functional impairments remain debated.

Objective: This study systematically examines the acute and long-term neurophysiological effects of heading using EEG.

Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines included studies assessing EEG changes after heading. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, SportDiscus, and Embase until January 2025. Study quality was evaluated using RoB 2, ROBINS-I, JBI, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results: Ten studies met the criteria. Acute effects included increased delta activity in frontal, central, and parietal regions, normalizing within seconds. Long-term changes involved reduced P3a/P3b amplitudes, altered theta and beta activity, and impairments in attention, memory, and reaction time. A dose-dependent relationship was observed, but methodological heterogeneity limits comparability.

Conclusion: Soccer heading may cause neurophysiological effects, particularly affecting cognitive functions. Standardized EEG protocols and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships.