Soccer players worldwide, both young and old players alike, appear to be suffering up to 8 times more deadly illnesses than the general population. Physicians feel it may possibly be due to soccer players hitting the soccer ball with their head over and over in practice and in games. Head trauma typically may not even be diagnosed like other more obvious body injuries and many players may never even have their head x-rayed or examined during routine physical exams.
Players, young and old, are not noticing an illness until it is too late either. The disease showing up in soccer players is ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
This is a disease that attacks and destroys muscles, leaving you in a wheelchair and eventually killing you.
Physicians feel there may possibly be a link between ALS and strenuous activity in association with hitting the ball with your head over and over.
SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCE: WFOR-TV CBS NEWS APRIL 29TH 2003