Effect of Improper Soccer Heading on Serial Reaction Time Task Performance

Using the Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT), which measures implicit learning, the present experiment investigated the consequences of sub-concussive impacts in soccer from trained and untrained heading techniques. Fifty-one participants were (n?=?25) or were not (n?=?26) given training in proper heading after which they were tested on a head-ball task. The SRTT was administered before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the training and testing. There was some evidence of implicit learning on the pre-test, and clear evidence of continued implicit learning on the post-test. Most importantly, improper heading did not disrupt test performance. Strengths and weaknesses of the present experiment are presented and suggestions are made for future research.