Evaluation of surface electromyography of selected neck muscles during the whiplash mechanism in aware and unaware conditions due to safe punching in kickboxing.

Background: Kickboxing is considered as a combat sport in progress, in which injuries are frequent and significant, and close injury monitoring is highly recommended. Sports injuries to the head and neck are estimated to cause 70% deaths and 20% permanent disabilities although they are much less common than those to the limbs. Whiplash mechanism involves the rapid extension (opening) and flexion (bending) of neck.