Sensitivity analysis of muscle properties and impact parameters on head injury risk in American football.

Head injuries frequently occur in American football and other contact sports. Uncertainty on the effects of cervical muscle properties on head injury risk may be due to the limitations of previous observational studies. This simulation study employs a musculoskeletal model of the head and neck to investigate the effect of several factors related to head injury metrics in American Football.

The inclusion of hyoid muscles improve moment generating capacity and dynamic simulations in musculoskeletal models of the head and neck.

OpenSim musculoskeletal models of the head and neck can provide information about muscle activity and the response of the head and neck to a variety of situations. Previous models report weak flexion strength, which is partially due to lacking moment generating capacity in the upper cervical spine. Previous models have also lacked realistic hyoid muscles, which have the capability to improve flexion strength and control in the upper cervical spine.