Neck motion in the high school football player. Observations and suggestions for diminishing stresses on the neck.
In a group of 40 high school athletes (height: 166.37 to 189.57 cm, average, 174.40 cm; neck circumference: 35.56 to 41.91 cm, average, 39.12 cm), the neck motions were studied in flexion and extension, clinically, radiographically, and cineoradiographically. Flexion ranged from 34 to 84 degrees (average 72 degrees) and extension from 21 to 64 degrees (average 45 degrees) without helmet and shoulder pads. In well-fitting equipment flexion ranged from 36 to 86 degrees (average 73 degrees) and extension from 12 to 56 degrees(average 34 degrees). No correlation was determined between the size of the athlete's neck and the range of motion. The size of the athlete's neck was important in the determination of maximum stresses in the neck. The helmets impinged on the shoulder pads or interscapular region; this impingement diminished tension on the anterior portion of the cervical spine in extension. The face masks impinged on the shoulder pads in flexion of the neck; this impingement diminished stress on the posterior musculature. Proper fitting equipment, conditioning neck exercises, and changes in the rules of the game so that abuse of the head and neck is not encouraged are some of the aspects that may reduce the risk of injury to the cervical region in football players.
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D009333:Neck / Q000502:physiology*; D019838:Neck Injuries; D011482:Protective Devices; D013312:Stress, Physiological