Citation

Bretzin AC, Mansell JL, Tierney RT, McDevitt JK. Sports Health 2017; 9(2): 168-173.

Affiliation

Department of Athletic Training, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1941738116678615

PMID

28225689

Abstract

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.

Language: en

Keywords

biomechanics; cervical musculature; head injuries/concussion; neck strength