Almost a third of former professional footballers in mid-life are suffering from clinically significant depression, a new study has found – further evidence that playing the game may come at a lasting cost to brain health.
Of the 124 former players aged 30 to 60 who were tested, 31% scored in a range indicating clinically significant depression, according to research by Imperial College London presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. That figure is 22% higher than a group of healthy adults with no history of playing contact sports or head injuries.
“Study of 124 former footballers aged 30-60 finds 31% have clinically significant depression, 22% higher than non-players.”
The study, funded by the Football Association and Professional Footballers’ Association, also found that 42% of the former footballers reached the threshold for clinically significant anxiety symptoms, compared with 25% of non-footballers. Those tested included former Premier League, Championship and Women’s Super League players.
Brain imaging of the footballers revealed noticeably lower grey-matter volumes in several areas of the brain key for memory, maintaining attention, decision-making and emotional regulation. There was also evidence of reduced brain volume. When asked, the players rated their own thinking and decision-making skills lower than non-footballers.
The findings come amid growing scrutiny on the impact of heading in football on brain health, following a series of cases in which neurological illness has been linked to the deaths of former players, including Manchester United and Leeds legend Gordon McQueen.
“This is the first and largest study of its kind looking at the brain health of retired football players in mid-life, and we are seeing these brain changes at a point before we could expect to see clinical symptoms,” said Heather Snyder, senior vice-president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association.
“The study raises the possibility that there may be things we can detect in the brains of individuals at an earlier time, and if we understand what is happening, we may be able to intervene and benefit their brain health.
“Findings like those in this study and others are going to inform players, clinicians, sports organisations, and parents, so that they really understand what may be a risk in contact sports and enable them to make decisions.”