The Effect of Football Heading on Lower Limb Biomechanics During Sidestep Cutting

Ademolu, Grace Adebamiyo (2025) The Effect of Football Heading on Lower Limb Biomechanics During Sidestep Cutting. Masters by Research thesis (MPhil), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

Introduction Football heading is a routine aspect of the sport yet concerns regarding its potential neuromuscular effects on lower limb biomechanics, particularly during high-risk movements like sidestep cutting, persist. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of repeated heading on multiplanar kinetics and kinematics during pre-planned and reactive sidestep cutting tasks. Methods Football players (n=40) were randomly assigned to either a heading group which performed 15 repeated headers within a 5–10-minute period using a ball launcher to stimulate realistic heading exposure, or a control group, which engaged in virtual reality (VR) football heading simulation. Participants completed two biomechanical testing sessions: one immediately before the intervention (pre-test) and one within 5-10 minutes after (post-test) to capture acute changes in neuromuscular function. During each session, participants performed pre-planned and reactive sidestep cutting trials, captured using three-dimensional motion analysis and force plates. Key outcome measures included knee, hip and ankle joint angles and moments, analysed both as discrete peak values and as continuous time-series data across the stance phase of the cut. Results No significant between group differences were observed in most kinematic or kinetic measures. However, the control group exhibited increased ankle dorsiflexion post-intervention, a change no observed in the heading group, potentially indicating inhibited neuromuscular adaptations following heading exposure. Additionally, the heading group demonstrated increased peak ankle internal rotation and differential changes in ankle abduction moments during reactive sidestep cutting. Discussion and Conclusions The absence of major acute disruptions suggests that a football heading does not meaningfully impair lower limb biomechanics in sidestep cutting, which is reassuring for players and coaches concerned about the immediate performance deficits. However, localised changes in ankle mechanics highlight the need for further research into cumulative neuromuscular adaptations after repeated heading hat may influence injury risk over time. Future studies should incorporate longitudinal designs with cognitive-motor assessments, and ecologically valid testing environments to better understand the biomechanical implications of heading on dynamic movements and injury risk.