Biokinetics heads the new research to start answering these questions. Biokinetics, an independent, biomechanics and engineering consulting firm based in Ottawa, has a long standing history in head protection and has developed new approaches in understanding risk of brain injury in impact. The "i-Head" project combines experimental, analytical, and mathematical tools to better understand the mechanics of the head-neck system when heading the ball. We expect that this will lead to recommendations for trainers and players on training and game practices, and maybe even better specifications for the ball.

Dr. Rudy Gittens, orthopaedic surgeon and head of the Canadian Soccer Association’s sports medicine committee, is part of the research team to direct the clinical aspects of the work. For many years, he has been a strong proponent of involving more disciplines in the understanding of injury in sports.

The FIFA Medical Assessment Research Centre (F-MARC), headed by Prof. Dr. Jiri Dvorak, recognized the need for biomechanical input from Biokinetics. F-MARC addresses many sports medical aspects of football and has decided to pay specific attention to heading and head contacts and how head injuries can be avoided.

Not all questions on heading can be addressed at once. The human brain and its response to impact is extremely complex, but we expect that the new scientific data will help to define good heading practice; for the good of the game and for the good of the player. A summary of the research approach will be presented at the upcoming International Football and Sports Medicine Conference, March 22-24, 2002, in Beverly Hills, CA, organized by the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM), USSoccer, and FIFA.