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Soccer causes degenerative changes in the cervical spine

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Abstract

Background

Radiological changes and degeneration of the cervical spine have been previously described in soccer players. The onset of such changes was 10–20 years earlier than that of the normal population. The aim of this study was to assess these early degenerative changes in amateur active and veteran soccer players in a cross-sectional descriptive study using biomechanical, radiological, and magnetic resonance measures.

Methods

The subjects were active (<30 years; n=15) and veteran (>30 years; n=15) male amateur soccer players, and their age-matched controls (n=13 and n=15). Biomechanical measurements were made on a cervical dynamometer. Dynamic radiological and magnetic resonance findings were also obtained and evaluated.

Results

The normalized mean extension moment was higher in the active soccer players, but the mean range of motion was lower. Degenerative changes were prominent in veteran players, and the sagittal diameter of their spinal canal at C2 to C6 was lower when compared to active players and controls. Magnetic resonance findings of degeneration were more prominent in soccer players when compared to their age-matched controls.

Conclusion

A tendency towards early degenerative changes exists in soccer players most probably due to high- and/or low-impact recurrent trauma to the cervical spine caused by heading the ball.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Professor Dr. Turgut Tümer and Associate Professor Barış Diren of the Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Medart Medical Center, Kavaklıdere, Ankara, Turkey, for their valuable advice and assistance in developing the cervical dynamometer and obtaining the MR images, respectively. The authors also thank Hülya Aşçı for statistical analysis, Bahadir Kantaroḡlu for the development of the biomechanical dynamometer, and Ahmet Yürekli and Haydar Yaḡcı for their technical assistance in obtaining the cervical radiographs. The Middle East Technical University Research Grant # AFP-98-05-04-02 supported this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Çankaya University, Ankara, Turkey

    Alparslan Kartal

  2. Department of Physical Education and Sports, Gazi University, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey

    İbrahim Yıldıran

  3. Medical Center, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Alparslan Şenköylü

  4. Medical Center, Middle East Technical University, İnönü Bulvarı, 06531 , Ankara, Turkey

    Feza Korkusuz

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  1. Alparslan Kartal
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  2. İbrahim Yıldıran
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  3. Alparslan Şenköylü
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Correspondence to Feza Korkusuz.

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Kartal, A., Yıldıran, İ., Şenköylü, A. et al. Soccer causes degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Eur Spine J 13, 76–82 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-003-0623-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-003-0623-y

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