Ask a doctor on the topic of Neurology

Intelligence

July 9, 2013 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Can my brain or intelligence be harmed if I get hit in the head with a ball while playing sports?

Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Hello dear questioner,

a valid question. With one (1x) ball to the head: no.
Depending on the severity of the impact, several thousand to hundreds of thousands of brain cells can be lost. However, since we have enough of them, intelligence is not affected.

But
there are sports where especially if practiced professionally, concussions happen so frequently. For example in boxing or heading in football, that over the years/decades measurable brain performance impairments can occur.

So with daily 2 headers, no permanent damage can be expected, but if several thousand times a year regularly heading occurs, some people may experience significant aging or intelligence decline in old age. This was at least proven in studies on athletes (especially boxers).