Predictive Contribution of the Superficial Neck Muscles to Short-Latency Rate of Force Development of the Head and Neck.

Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, and upper fibers of trapezius activation to the gains in rate of force development (RFD) of the head and neck during maximum voluntary ballistic contractions.

Methods: RFD gain was facilitated by a single-session intervention for maximum voluntary ballistic contractions in the anterior direction, oriented at 45° to the midsagittal plane, which require active restraint of axial rotation. Muscle activation for the agonist (sternocleidomastoid) and 2 antagonists (splenius capitis and upper fibers of trapezius) was evaluated.

The Effect of the FIFA 11 + with Added Neck Exercises on Maximal Isometric Neck Strength and Peak Head Impact Magnitude During Heading: A Pilot Study.

Background: Higher neck strength has been postulated to reduce head impact magnitude during purposeful heading in football.

Objectives: This pilot trial explored the effect of a neck exercise programme on (1) neck strength and (2) head impact magnitude during heading in male and female adolescent football players.

Methods: Boys and girls (aged 12-17 years) were randomised by team to the intervention (5 weeks of supervised neuromuscular neck exercises integrated into part 2 of the FIFA 11 + , completed three times per week) or the control group (usual part 2 of the FIFA 11 + , no neck exercises).

Injury Reduction Programs for Reducing the Incidence of Sport-Related Head and Neck Injuries Including Concussion: A Systematic Review.

Background: Sport-related head and neck injuries, including concussion, are a growing global public health concern with a need to explore injury risk reduction strategies such as neck exercises.

Objectives: To systematically review the literature to investigate: (1) the relationship between neck strength and sport-related head and neck injuries (including sport-related concussion (SRC); and (2) whether neck exercise programs can reduce the incidence of (a) sport-related head and neck injuries; and (b) SRC.

Methods: Five databases (Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) and research lists of included studies were searched using a combination of medical subject headings and keywords to locate original studies which reported the association between incidence of head and/or neck injury and neck strength data, or included a neck exercise intervention either in isolation or as part of a more comprehensive exercise program.