A NEED
Soccer is now only second to football in the incidence of concussion in children playing sports. Medical data is mounting on the long term effects on the brain.

"We've got a problem here," said Dr. David Janda, an orthopedic surgeon. The study to be published in the September issue of the journal, Neurology, found that heading a soccer ball can cause symptoms of concussion, headaches and small but measurable verbal defects among children.

• Medical literature demonstrates significant risk of permanent brain injury for serious soccer players.
• Medical literature demonstrates a high incidence of concussions among youth soccer players.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics classifies soccer as a "contact/collision sport".

• soccer players' reports of increased neurologic symptoms such as headaches, heading-related migraine, neck pain, and dizziness;
• the report by Tysvaer and Lochen of neuropsychological changes in soccer players as compared with hospitalized controls;
• neurodiagnostic findings of ventricular changes and atrophy in 10% to 33% of former soccer players;
• MRI changes in 9 of 20 members of the US National Team, some with focal atrophy; and
• more-frequent abnormal EEGs in active soccer players as compared with male non-athletes.

ACCEPTANCE
In several informal focus groups, there has been an overwhelming positive response to the product. Additionally soccer groups appreciate the simple approach which does not dramatically change the way children enjoy the sport.

RESULT
Significant reduction of the risk of head injuries when exposed to all types of impacts.