Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Pressure Pulse Hits Head Before Soccer Header, Varies 55×

5/13/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Loughborough University researchers recorded a rapid pressure pulse milliseconds before head movement in a soccer header using a surrogate skull equipped with a hydrophone.
Tests of twenty ball types showed pressure-wave magnitude could differ by up to fifty-five times at the same impact speed.
The team shared the results with FIFA and UEFA through the Football Association, suggesting future ball certification may include pressure-wave thresholds.

1 of 1

Story summary

Loughborough University researchers recorded a rapid pressure pulse milliseconds before head movement in a soccer header using a surrogate skull equipped with a hydrophone.
Tests of twenty ball types showed pressure-wave magnitude could differ by up to fifty-five times at the same impact speed.
The team shared the results with FIFA and UEFA through the Football Association, suggesting future ball certification may include pressure-wave thresholds.