697 EP091 – Quality criteria for studies assessing the acute effects of heading: results from a UEFA expert panel

Background The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) established a panel of experts to determine methodological recommendations for the conduct of studies which explore the acute effects of heading (defined as a single session of heading). This process was deemed necessary to improve the quality of studies which use heading trials to better inform future heading guidelines and practices. Objective The aim of this panel was to create minimum quality criteria for the conduct of acute heading in football research. Design Using a phased mixed-methods approach, key methodological issues were discussed to determine minimum quality criteria to assess the acute effects of heading. Following two rounds of reviews, two members of the panel drafted quality criteria which was circulated for comment before the final quality criteria were agreed by the panel. Setting N/A Participants The panel consisted of six experts (including two women) from six countries representing diversity in professional background. Interventions N/A Main outcome measurements A key design element was good external validity rather than high likelihood of 'significant results', underpinned by safety concerns that research participants should not be exposed to unnecessary risk from higher number of head impacts than those observed during football match-play and practice. Results The panel identified key methodological requirements pertaining to participants (including presence of a control group/comparator condition, heading experience, skill level, sex), heading trials and their measurement (including consistency of ball delivery, consideration of heading frequency) measurement and consideration of confounding variables (including history of concussion), statistics (including a priori sample-size calculation) and dependent/target variables and their measurement. Conclusions By applying minimum standards for research that explore the acute effects of heading it is hoped the quality of heading research will be improved and the evidence-base to support any potential changes to heading policy or practice are grounded in high-quality evidence.