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Gallo CA, Desrochers GN, Morris GJ, Rumney CD, Sandell SJ, McDevitt JK, Langford D, Rosene JM. Sex Differences in Neck Strength Force and Activation Patterns in Collegiate Contact Sport. J Sports Sci Med 2022; 21:68-73. [PMID: 35250335 PMCID: PMC8851123 DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2022.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess changes in cervical musculature throughout contact-heavy collegiate ice hockey practices during a regular season of NCAA Division III ice hockey teams. In this cross-sectional study, 36 (male n = 13; female n = 23) ice hockey players participated. Data were collected over 3 testing sessions (baseline; pre-practice; post-practice). Neck circumference, neck length, head-neck segment length, isometric strength and electromyography (EMG) activity for flexion and extension were assessed. Assessments were completed approximately 1h before a contact-heavy practice and 15 min after practice. For sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles, males had significantly greater peak force and greater time to peak force versus females. For both left and right SCMs, both sexes had significantly greater peak EMG activity pre-practice versus baseline, and right (dominant side) SCM time to peak EMG activity was decreased post-practice compared to pre-practice. There were no significant differences for EMG activity of the upper trapezius musculature, over time or between sexes. Sex differences observed in SCM force and activation patterns of the dominant side SCM may contribute to head stabilization during head impacts. Our study is the first investigation to report changes in cervical muscle strength in men's and women's ice hockey players in the practical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin A Gallo
- Department of Exercise and Sport Performance, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, United States of America
| | - Gabrielle N Desrochers
- Department of Exercise and Sport Performance, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, United States of America
| | - Garett J Morris
- Department of Exercise and Sport Performance, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, United States of America
| | - Chad D Rumney
- Department of Exercise and Sport Performance, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, United States of America
| | - Sydney J Sandell
- Department of Exercise and Sport Performance, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, United States of America
| | - Jane K McDevitt
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dianne Langford
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - John M Rosene
- Department of Exercise and Sport Performance, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, United States of America
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Müller C, Zentgraf K. Neck and Trunk Strength Training to Mitigate Head Acceleration in Youth Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35:S81-S89. [PMID: 33065700 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000003822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Müller
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,University Sports, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; and
| | - Karen Zentgraf
- Department of Movement Science and Training in Sports, Institute of Sport Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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McCunn R, Beaudouin F, Stewart K, Meyer T, MacLean J. Heading in Football: Incidence, Biomechanical Characteristics and the Association with Acute Cognitive Function-A Three-Part Systematic Review. Sports Med 2021; 51:2147-2163. [PMID: 34129222 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01492-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing concern surrounding the role of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts, such as football heading, on brain health. OBJECTIVES Three questions were addressed while only considering studies that observed heading exposure directly: (1) how frequently does heading occur within football training and matches, (2) what are the biomechanical characteristics of heading, and (3) is cognitive function affected by heading? METHODS This review followed the steps described in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic databases including MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus were searched from the earliest entry to July 2020. Studies that reported independently quantified heading exposure, biomechanical characteristics of heading or the relationship between heading and cognitive function were included. Data were extracted and used to populate summary tables with reference to each research question. RESULTS Heading incidence ranged between one to nine headers per player per match. The number of headers observed in small-sided games during training varied depending on the exact format used but generally speaking ranged between zero to one per player per game. The three most commonly reported biomechanical variables were head acceleration, head rotational velocity and overall movement kinematics during the heading action. Average head acceleration ranged from approximately four to 50 g. Nine out of 12 included studies did not observe a negative impact on cognitive test performance following exposure to heading and while three did, these negative effects were limited to specific outcome measures: reaction time and memory function. CONCLUSION The current weight of evidence summarised herein does not support the notion that heading is deleterious to cognitive performance in the short term; however, this conclusion is tentative due to methodological shortcomings in the existing evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert McCunn
- Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Tynecastle Park , Edinburgh, EH11 2NL, UK.
| | - Florian Beaudouin
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Katy Stewart
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Hampden Sports Clinic, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tim Meyer
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - John MacLean
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Hampden Sports Clinic, Glasgow, UK
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Becker S, Berger J, Ludwig O, Günther D, Kelm J, Fröhlich M. Heading in Soccer: Does Kinematics of the Head-Neck-Torso Alignment Influence Head Acceleration? J Hum Kinet 2021; 77:71-80. [PMID: 34168693 PMCID: PMC8008297 DOI: 10.2478/hukin-2021-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is little scientific evidence regarding the cumulative effect of purposeful heading. The head-neck-torso alignment is considered to be of great importance when it comes to minimizing potential risks when heading. Therefore, this study determined the relationship between head-neck-torso alignment (cervical spine, head, thoracic spine) and the acceleration of the head, the relationship between head acceleration and maximum ball speed after head impact and differences between head accelerations throughout different heading approaches (standing, jumping, running). A total of 60 male soccer players (18.9 ± 4.0 years, 177.6 ± 14.9 cm, 73.1 ± 8.6 kg) participated in the study. Head accelerations were measured by a telemetric Noraxon DTS 3D Sensor, whereas angles for the head-neck-torso alignment and ball speed were analyzed with a Qualisys Track Manager program. No relationship at all was found for the standing, jumping and running approaches. Concerning the relationship between head acceleration and maximum ball speed after head impact only for the standing header a significant result was calculated (p = 0.024, R2 = .085). A significant difference in head acceleration (p < .001) was identified between standing, jumping and running headers. To sum up, the relationship between head acceleration and head-neck-torso alignment is more complex than initially assumed and could not be proven in this study. Furthermore first data were generated to check whether the acceleration of the head is a predictor for the resulting maximum ball speed after head impact, but further investigations have to follow. Lastly, we confirmed the results that the head acceleration differs with the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Becker
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Joshua Berger
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Oliver Ludwig
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Daniel Günther
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jens Kelm
- Chirurgisch-Orthopädisches Zentrum, Illingen, Germany
| | - Michael Fröhlich
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Becker S, Berger J, Backfisch M, Ludwig O, Kelm J, Fröhlich M. Effects of a 6-Week Strength Training of the Neck Flexors and Extensors on the Head Acceleration during Headers in Soccer. J Sports Sci Med 2019; 18:729-737. [PMID: 31827358 PMCID: PMC6873131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The importance of well trained and stable neck flexors and extensors as well as trunk muscles for intentional headers in soccer is increasingly discussed. The neck flexors and extensors should ensure a coupling of trunk and head at the time of ball contact to increase the physical mass hitting the ball and reduce head acceleration. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of a 6-week strength training program (neck flexors, neck extensors) on the acceleration of the head during standing, jumping and running headers as well as after fatigue of the trunk muscles on a pendulum header. A total of 33 active male soccer players (20.3 ± 3.6 years, 1.81 ± 0.07 m, 75.5 ± 8.3 kg) participated and formed two training intervention groups (IG1: independent adult team, IG2: independent youth team) and one control group (CG: players from different teams). The training intervention consisted of three exercises for the neck flexors and extensors. The training effects were verified by means of the isometric maximum voluntary contraction (IMVC) measured by a telemetric Noraxon DTS force sensor. The head acceleration during ball contact was determined using a telemetric Noraxon DTS 3D accelerometer. There was no significant change of the IMVC over time between the groups (F=2.265, p=.121). Head acceleration was not reduced significantly for standing (IG1 0.4 ± 2.0, IG2 0.1 ± 1.4, CG -0.4 ± 1.2; F = 0.796, p = 0.460), jumping (IG1-0.7 ± 1.4, IG2-0.2 ± 0.9, CG 0.1 ± 1.2; F = 1.272, p = 0.295) and running (IG1-1.0 ± 1.9, IG2-0.2 ± 1.4, CG -0.1 ± 1.6; F = 1.050, p = 0.362) headers as well as after fatigue of the trunk musculature for post-jumping (IG1-0.2 ± 2.1, IG2-0.6 ± 1.4; CG -0.6 ± 1.3; F = 0.184, p = 0.833) and post-running (IG1-0.3 ± 1.6, IG2-0.7 ± 1.2, CG 0.0 ± 1.4; F = 0.695, p = 0.507) headers over time between IG1, IG2 and CG. A 6-week strength training of the neck flexors and neck extensors could not show the presumed preventive benefit. Both the effects of a training intervention and the consequences of an effective intervention for the acceleration of the head while heading seem to be more complex than previously assumed and presumably only come into effect in case of strong impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Becker
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Joshua Berger
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Marco Backfisch
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Oliver Ludwig
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jens Kelm
- Medical Faculty, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Michael Fröhlich
- Department of Sport Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Editorial: Fatigue and Recovery in Football. Sports (Basel) 2019; 7:sports7080192. [PMID: 31412659 PMCID: PMC6723349 DOI: 10.3390/sports7080192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The football codes (soccer, American football, Australian rules football, rugby league, and union and Gaelic football) are intermittent team sports with bouts of high-intensity activity interspersed with low-intensity activities or rest [...]
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