A study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026 by researchers at Imperial College London has found that retired professional footballers experience significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to healthy non-players. The findings add to growing concerns about the long-term neurological impact of contact sports across Europe.
The research involved 142 former professional players aged 30 to 60—126 men with at least three years as full-time professionals and 16 women who had played in the UK’s top two women’s divisions. They were compared with 56 healthy individuals of similar age with no history of contact sports, military service, head injuries, or neurological conditions.
Key Findings on Mental Health
Nearly a third of the former players reported symptoms serious enough to be classified as clinical depression, compared to just 9% in the control group. For anxiety, 42% of ex-players met the diagnostic threshold, against 25% of non-players. These self-reported difficulties extended to thinking and decision-making, with former players describing reduced ability to plan, concentrate, solve problems, and manage daily tasks.
“Although there were not clear differences between ex-players and non-players in standard cognitive tests, we did see significant differences in symptoms (such as anxiety and depression) reported by participants, as well as in brain imaging,” said Caleigh Grace Lynch, the study’s lead author. She added that the findings suggest measurable effects on brain health can appear in midlife, well before conditions like dementia typically become apparent.
Brain Structure Changes
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed differences in brain structure between some former players and the healthy comparison group, with evidence of reduced brain volume among the footballers. The researchers cautioned that while heightened symptoms and altered volume patterns may point to trauma-related neurodegeneration, further work is needed to establish this conclusively.
Football, played by millions across Europe daily, involves both low-intensity intentional ball-heading and severe head collisions against opponents or the ground. The study highlights the need for better understanding of these risks, particularly as European leagues and federations consider rule changes to protect players.
“Studies like this can help players, clinicians and sporting bodies better understand potential risks and consider how the game can be made safer, while allowing individuals to make informed choices,” said Maria C. Carrillo, chief science officer at the Alzheimer’s Association.
The research comes amid broader European discussions about health and safety in sports. For context, other studies have examined how extreme heat is linked to rising youth mental health hospital visits, and how obesity drugs yield weight loss but not better quality of life. These findings underscore the complex interplay between physical activity, environment, and mental well-being.
The Imperial College team plans to expand the study to include players from other European countries, aiming to build a more comprehensive picture of the risks faced by professional footballers across the continent. For now, the results serve as a stark reminder that even elite athletes are not immune to the hidden costs of their sport.
