Heading Load in English Elite Football: Analysis of 687 Matches (blogs.bmj.com)

• Heading rate increases with age by 13% per group; U9: 0.167/min, First Team: 0.895/min
• Central defenders have highest load; wide/central attackers lowest
• Unintended head impacts rare (<1% of heading events)
• Most common preceding action: long pass; throw-ins dominate at younger ages

"A prospective observational study analyzed 26,510 heading events from 687 matches across the English elite football pathway (U9 to Premier League). Heading frequency increased by an average of 13% per age group, from 0.167 headers per minute at U9 to 0.895 at First Team. Central defenders had the highest load. Unintended head impacts occurred in less than 1% of events. The findings provide an evidence base to inform discussions on heading exposure in youth and professional football."