Cases of head injuries in football sport: A case study of Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh

In recent years public awareness of the potential long-term effects of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries sustained in sport of football has increased. Players purposely use their head to direct the ball during play. There is a growing understanding of the link between blows to the head suffered in football and the potential for increased risk of injuries in later life.[1] This study aim is to reveal the similarities and differences the understanding of the link between blows to the head suffered in football and the potential for increased risk of injuries more specifically dementia in later life.[23] Heading an incorrect sized football can result in head injuries. As per FIFA guidelines a different sized football shall be used for different age groups. The schools in the Ghaziabad city were asked to fill in the questionnaires containing certain questions on Sports in general and football in particular. Descriptive and evaluative approach was used, which is generally used in comparative studies. The findings by various Universities established how heading can affect the brain, cognition, and speech of a person. It was found that a few developed nations like USA, England, Ireland have taken note of this issue and have issued guidelines based on the data and studies available. This study establishes that over-inflated footballs are being used in schools and also most of the schools have with them a single-sized football (which is against FIFA guidelines). Moreover, awareness of physical education instructors about different sizes of football and head injuries due to football is lacking. Also, clear guidelines on this issue are needed from the Ministry of Sports in India.