AAN 2019: Does playing soccer increase your risk of ALS?

Written by Olivia Stevenson, Future Science Group

Researchers, who are due to present their findings at the American Academy of Neurology’s 71st Annual Meeting (4–10 May, Philadelphia, PA, USA), have revealed that professional soccer players may be at a higher risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These results are in line with previous findings that have suggested that repeated head injuries may be a risk factor for the disease.  In their investigation, researchers reviewed the trading cards of approximately 25,000 male soccer players who had played professional soccer in Italy between 1959 and 2000. This information allowed researchers to record the date and location of an...

To view this content, please register now for access

It's completely free