TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - The effect of ball characteristics on head acceleration during purposeful heading in male and female youth football players
JO  - Science and medicine in football
A1  - Peek, Kerry
A1  - McKay, Marnee
A1  - Fu, Allan
A1  - Meyer, Tim
A1  - Oxenham, Vincent
A1  - Esopenko, Carrie
A1  - Caccese, Jaclyn
A1  - Andersen, Jordan
SP  - 195
EP  - 203
VL  - 5
IS  - 3
N2  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore the effects of different ball types and characteristics on head acceleration during purposeful heading in youth football players. Methods: Experienced male and female players (n = 61) aged between 12-17 years completed heading trials with 4 different balls (Ball 1 mass 192 grams (g), pressure 5.0 pounds per square inch (psi); Ball 2 432 g, 5.0 psi; Ball 3 255 g, 5.0 psi; Ball 4 430 g, 10.5 psi) whilst wearing a head-mounted accelerometer and gyroscope. Balls 1, 2 and 4 were size 5 balls; Ball 3 was a size 4 ball.<br><br>RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of variance and post-hoc univariate analyses revealed a statistically significant difference between ball type and head acceleration during heading for both linear acceleration (adjusted R(2) = 0.68; F = 140.90; p = <0.001) and angular velocity (adjusted R(2) = 0.28; F = 26.52; p = <0.001). Ball 1 (lightest size 5 ball) and Ball 3 (size 4 ball) demonstrated linear head accelerations up to 59% lower (p = <0.01) when compared with Ball 4 (size 5 regulated match ball).<br><br>DISCUSSION: Head acceleration during purposeful heading is influenced by changes to ball pressure, ball size and/or ball mass. Changing ball characteristics, particularly in youth football training when heading is being taught, should be an easy strategy to implement.    Keywords: Soccer<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2473-3938
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2021.1897657
ID  - ref1
ER  -