Einstein Soccer Study
We'd like to get major injuries thrown out of the game,
while preserving its beauty.
Pelé called soccer — or football, as it is known worldwide — the beautiful game. The more than 265 million soccer players today would agree with him. Yet, as every player knows, injuries are part of the game.
We at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine are researching specific changes in the brain caused by movement and injuries in soccer. Now, you can help us give soccer injuries a red card.
If you are:
- A serious amateur soccer player - male or female
- Between the ages of 18 and 55
You can help us make soccer safer by joining our study.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PART OF THE STUDY?
You will visit Albert Einstein College of Medicine every six months for two years. The first and last visit will each take 3.5 hours; the other visits will take less than an hour.
We will pay you for your time - up to $150 per visit.
During your visit:
- We ask questions about your experiences playing soccer and your lifestyle.
- We take a small blood sample on your first visit.
- You have an MRI of your brain on the first and last visit. This is a painless test that takes pictures of your brain.
- You will play computer “Brain Games.”
Some people will be asked if they are willing to be a part of additional research. These people will:
- Take home a tablet computer provided by Einstein.
- Play "Brain Games" at home for 10-15 minutes each day.
- Visit Einstein four more times during one of the two years.
- Have an MRI at each visit.
Of course, we will pay these people more.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Soccer demands a complex set of skills, each using different techniques. Your brain plays an important role in this. In our study, we will try to understand how the brain facilitates these skills and how soccer injuries might affect the brain. Specifically, we are looking to see if brain changes are associated with heading.
Tablet Blog