Neck Strength Imbalance Correlates With Increased Head Acceleration in Soccer Heading

Soccer heading has been studied previously with conflicting results. One major issue is the lack of knowledge regarding what actually occurs biomechanically during soccer heading impacts. The purpose of the current study is to validate a wireless head acceleration measurement system, head impact telemetry system (HITS) that can be used to collect head accelerations during soccer play. The HIT system was fitted to a Hybrid III (HIII) head form that was instrumented with a 3-2-2-2 accelerometer setup. Fifteen impact conditions were tested to simulate impacts commonly experienced during soccer play. Linear and angular acceleration were calculated for both systems and compared. Root mean square (RMS) error and cross correlations were also calculated and compared for both systems. Cross correlation values were very strong withr= .95 ± 0.02 for ball to head forehead impacts andr= .96 ± 0.02 for head to head forehead impacts. The systems showed a strong relationship when comparing RMS error, linear head acceleration, angular head acceleration, and the cross correlation values.

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Transient perturbation in neuro-ophthalmologic function after repetitive subconcussive head impacts: a randomized controlled trial

Neurology ◽

10.1212/01.wnl.0000580992.05937.96 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽

pp. S17.2-S17

Author(s):

Keisuke Kawata ◽

Madeleine Nowak ◽

Zachary Bevilacqua ◽

Keisuke Ejima ◽

Megan Huibregtse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neural Circuit ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Oculomotor System ◽

Head Impact ◽

Control Group ◽

Head Acceleration ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Head Impacts ◽

Time Points ◽

Soccer Heading

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of subconcussive head impacts on neuro-ophthalmologic function tested by the King-Devick test (KDT).BackgroundSubconcussive head impacts can lead to insidious neurological impairment if sustained repetitively. The oculomotor system is sensitive to brain trauma; however, neuro-ophthalmologic response to subconcussive head impacts remain unclear.Design/MethodsSixty-eight healthy adult soccer players with at least 5 years of soccer heading experience were randomized into either a soccer heading group (n = 36) or soccer kicking-control group (n = 32). The independent variables were group (heading vs. kicking control) and assessment time points (pre-, 0 hr-, 2 hr-, and 24 hr-post-heading/kicking). At each time point, KDT performance was assessed. Between the pre and 0hr post time points, heading subjects then performed 10 soccer headers, with the ball traveled at 25 mph, over the course of 10 minutes. The control subjects kicked the soccer ball 10 times.ResultsThe heading group experienced a median linear head acceleration of 31.8g per head impact (IQR: 31.1–34.5g) and a median rotational head acceleration of 3.56 krad/sec2 per head impact (IQR: 2.93–4.04 krad/sec2). Conversely, soccer kicks did not result in a detectable level of head acceleration. The kicking control group showed a significant improvement in KDT performance over time, indicating the neuro-ophthalmologic adaptability and learning effect (pre, 42.5 ± 5.7 sec; 0 hr-post, 39.3 ± 5.9 sec; 2 h-post, 38.5 ± 5.8 sec; 24 h-post, 37.3 ± 6.1 sec). However, such improvement was blunted by repetitive soccer headings in the heading group (pre, 43.6 ± 7.8 sec; 0 hr-post, 42.7 ± 7.9 sec; 2 h-post, 42.6 ± 7.8 sec; 24 h-post, 40.7 ± 7.3 sec), as illustrated by significant time × group interactions at 0 hr (p = 0.012) and 2 hr (p = 0.002) post-heading/kicking time points in the mixed-effect regression model.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the neural circuit encompassing the brain and oculomotor system has tremendous abilities to adapt and improve its function if administered repeatedly, but subconcussive head impacts induced by soccer heading can transiently impair neuro-ophthalmologic function and its adaptive property.

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The Relationship between Impact Force, Neck Strength, and Neurocognitive Performance in Soccer Heading in Adolescent Females

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.2013-0102 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 33-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Gregory M. Gutierrez ◽

Catherine Conte ◽

Kristian Lightbourne

Keyword(s):

Impact Force ◽

Adolescent Females ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Neck Strength ◽

The Relationship ◽

Soccer Heading

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Sex Differences in Head Acceleration During Heading While Wearing Soccer Headgear

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-43.6.578 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 578-584 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Ryan T. Tierney ◽

Michael Higgins ◽

Shane V. Caswell ◽

Jessica Brady ◽

Krista McHardy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head Injury ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Head Impact ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Head Acceleration ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Head Injury Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Soccer Heading

Abstract Context: Researchers have indicated that female soccer players may be at greater risk of concussion compared with their male counterparts. Soccer headgear is marketed for reducing head acceleration and risk of concussion. Objective: To determine the effect of sex and soccer headgear on head impact kinematics and dynamic stabilization during soccer heading. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Forty-four college-aged soccer players (29 women, 15 men). Intervention(s): Using a head impact model, participants performed 4 soccer headers under 3 headgear conditions (control, Head Blast Soccer Band, and Full90 Select Performance Headguard). Main Outcome Measure(s): Dependent variables assessed before soccer heading were head-neck anthropometrics and isometric neck muscle strength, and those assessed during soccer headers were resultant linear head acceleration, Head Injury Criteria (HIC36), and superficial neck muscle electromyography. Statistical analyses included multivariate and univariate analyses of variance with repeated measures, independent-samples t tests, appropriate follow-up analyses of variance and post hoc t tests, and Pearson product moment correlations (α = .05). Results: Head acceleration in women was 32% and 44% greater than in men when wearing the Head Blast (21.5 g versus 16.3 g) and Full90 Select (21.8 g versus 15.2 g), respectively (P < .05). Compared with men, women exhibited 10% greater head accelerations (20.2 g versus 18.2 g) during the control condition (P = .164). Conclusions: Female soccer players exhibited greater head accelerations than their male counterparts when wearing headgear. Our results are important clinically because they indicate that soccer headgear may not be an appropriate head injury prevention tool for all athletes.

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034 Higher neck strength may lower head acceleration during purposeful heading in football: a systematic review

10.1136/bjsports-2021-ioc.32 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kerry Peek ◽

James M Elliott ◽

Rhonda Orr

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Head Acceleration ◽

Lower Head ◽

Neck Strength

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Head and neck size and neck strength minimise the head acceleration during repeated head impacts

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2016-097270.171 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (11) ◽

pp. A66.1-A66 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jaclyn B Caccese ◽

Thomas A Buckley ◽

Ryan T Tierney ◽

William C Rose ◽

Kristy B Arbogast ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Head Acceleration ◽

Neck Size ◽

Head Impacts ◽

Neck Strength

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Sex Differences in Anthropometrics and Heading Kinematics Among Division I Soccer Athletes

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/1941738116678615 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 168-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Abigail C. Bretzin ◽

Jamie L. Mansell ◽

Ryan T. Tierney ◽

Jane K. McDevitt

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Rotational Velocity ◽

Linear Acceleration ◽

Division I ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Flexion Extension ◽

Neck Strength ◽

The Relationship ◽

Head Neck ◽

Soccer Heading

Background: Soccer players head the ball repetitively throughout their careers; this is also a potential mechanism for a concussion. Although not all soccer headers result in a concussion, these subconcussive impacts may impart acceleration, deceleration, and rotational forces on the brain, leaving structural and functional deficits. Stronger neck musculature may reduce head-neck segment kinematics. Hypothesis: The relationship between anthropometrics and soccer heading kinematics will not differ between sexes. The relationship between anthropometrics and soccer heading kinematics will not differ between ball speeds. Study Design: Pilot, cross-sectional design. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Division I soccer athletes (5 male, 8 female) were assessed for head-neck anthropometric and neck strength measurements in 6 directions (ie, flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexions and rotations). Participants headed the ball 10 times (25 or 40 mph) while wearing an accelerometer secured to their head. Kinematic measurements (ie, linear acceleration and rotational velocity) were recorded at 2 ball speeds. Results: Sex differences were observed in neck girth ( t = 5.09, P < 0.001), flexor and left lateral flexor strength ( t = 3.006, P = 0.012 and t = 4.182, P = 0.002, respectively), and rotational velocity at both speeds ( t = −2.628, P = 0.024 and t = −2.227, P = 0.048). Neck girth had negative correlations with both linear acceleration ( r = −0.599, P = 0.031) and rotational velocity at both speeds ( r = −0.551, P = 0.012 and r = −0.652, P = 0.016). Also, stronger muscle groups had lower linear accelerations at both speeds ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between anthropometrics and soccer heading kinematics for sex and ball speeds. Clinical Relevance: Neck girth and neck strength are factors that may limit head impact kinematics.

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