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Head acceleration in blind football players: A laboratory-based exploratory study

Ivanic, Branimir LU ; Ageberg, Eva LU orcid ; Ryan, Nicholas LU orcid ; Derman, Wayne ; Runciman, Phoebe ; Lexell, Jan LU and Fagher, Kristina LU (2026) In Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport p.1-7
Abstract
Objectives
To compare head acceleration between blind football players and non-disabled football players, and between anticipated and unanticipated conditions in blind football players.
Design
Laboratory-based exploratory study.
Methods
Participants were ten football players (five blind football, five non-disabled; 80% female). Standardized head perturbations were applied in flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation using a custom-built apparatus, under both anticipated and unanticipated conditions. Peak linear (g) and angular (rad/s2) head accelerations were measured.
Results
Between-group comparisons did not reveal statistically significant differences; however, a descriptive pattern was observed for... (More)
Objectives
To compare head acceleration between blind football players and non-disabled football players, and between anticipated and unanticipated conditions in blind football players.
Design
Laboratory-based exploratory study.
Methods
Participants were ten football players (five blind football, five non-disabled; 80% female). Standardized head perturbations were applied in flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation using a custom-built apparatus, under both anticipated and unanticipated conditions. Peak linear (g) and angular (rad/s2) head accelerations were measured.
Results
Between-group comparisons did not reveal statistically significant differences; however, a descriptive pattern was observed for peak angular acceleration during rotational perturbations, with blind football players demonstrating higher values in both anticipated (44.75 ± 4.38 vs. 38.09 ± 7.20 rad/s2; p 0.12) and unanticipated (48.0 ± 4.8 vs. 40.9 ± 5.5 rad/s2; p 0.06) conditions. In blind football group, unanticipated perturbations produced higher accelerations than anticipated, with the largest descriptive differences observed in lateral flexion for both peak linear (0.25 ± 0.03 vs. 0.21 ± 0.03 g; p 0.00) and angular accelerations (21.73 ± 4.71 vs. 18.36 ± 6.45 rad/s2; p 0.24).
Conclusions
Descriptively higher peak angular acceleration during rotational trials was observed in blind football compared to non-disabled football players, alongside consistently higher head accelerations in unanticipated than anticipated conditions. While the observed patterns suggest that anticipatory control may influence head acceleration responses, adequately powered studies are needed to confirm the observed directional trends in angular head acceleration between blind football and non-disabled football players and clarify their implications for sport-related concussion prevention strategies in blind football. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
pages
1 - 7
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:41925397
ISSN
1440-2440
DOI
10.1016/j.jsams.2026.03.007
project
Exercise interventions to prevent sport-related concussion
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d9b91c0d-5be1-49a7-9b53-7a65fb889fa1
date added to LUP
2026-04-02 12:01:17
date last changed
2026-04-03 03:28:18
@article{d9b91c0d-5be1-49a7-9b53-7a65fb889fa1,
  abstract     = {{Objectives<br/>To compare head acceleration between blind football players and non-disabled football players, and between anticipated and unanticipated conditions in blind football players.<br/>Design<br/>Laboratory-based exploratory study.<br/>Methods<br/>Participants were ten football players (five blind football, five non-disabled; 80% female). Standardized head perturbations were applied in flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation using a custom-built apparatus, under both anticipated and unanticipated conditions. Peak linear (g) and angular (rad/s2) head accelerations were measured.<br/>Results<br/>Between-group comparisons did not reveal statistically significant differences; however, a descriptive pattern was observed for peak angular acceleration during rotational perturbations, with blind football players demonstrating higher values in both anticipated (44.75 ± 4.38 vs. 38.09 ± 7.20 rad/s2; p 0.12) and unanticipated (48.0 ± 4.8 vs. 40.9 ± 5.5 rad/s2; p 0.06) conditions. In blind football group, unanticipated perturbations produced higher accelerations than anticipated, with the largest descriptive differences observed in lateral flexion for both peak linear (0.25 ± 0.03 vs. 0.21 ± 0.03 g; p 0.00) and angular accelerations (21.73 ± 4.71 vs. 18.36 ± 6.45 rad/s2; p 0.24).<br/>Conclusions<br/>Descriptively higher peak angular acceleration during rotational trials was observed in blind football compared to non-disabled football players, alongside consistently higher head accelerations in unanticipated than anticipated conditions. While the observed patterns suggest that anticipatory control may influence head acceleration responses, adequately powered studies are needed to confirm the observed directional trends in angular head acceleration between blind football and non-disabled football players and clarify their implications for sport-related concussion prevention strategies in blind football.}},
  author       = {{Ivanic, Branimir and Ageberg, Eva and Ryan, Nicholas and Derman, Wayne and Runciman, Phoebe and Lexell, Jan and Fagher, Kristina}},
  issn         = {{1440-2440}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--7}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport}},
  title        = {{Head acceleration in blind football players: A laboratory-based exploratory study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2026.03.007}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.jsams.2026.03.007}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}