Strong Necks Do Not Reduce Risk of Head Injury
Think strengthing your neck will help you avoid a brain injury? Think again. According to a recent article in the New York Times, researchers put that theory to the test with a group of National Collegiate Soccer Association Athletes. One part of the group was given exercises to stregthen the neck, the other was not. After eight weeks, the volunteers were connected to an “external force applicator” which puts pressure on the neck muscles.
Though the group that exercised increased neck girth and/or strength, they did no better at resisting the force of the machine than those who did not do the training exercises.
The results of this study are published in the current Journal of Athletic Training. The report was co-authored by Jamie Mansell of Lincoln University of Pennsyvlania and Ryan T. Tierney of Temple University.