Creating a Standardized Program To Resistance Train The Muscles Of The Head and Neck

Abstract

Concussions have reached epidemic levels. There is no cure for concussions. Measures taken to reduce concussions have not been effective. The majority of research is focused on concussion causation and concussion management after the fact. The research continues but the number of concussions in athletics increases each year.

No methodical approach to producing a specific protocol to strengthen the head and neck muscles exists and no systematic study of increase in neck musculature attributed to such a protocol is documented. Thus, this study will produce a standardized methodology for the reduction of concussive and subconcussive forces, laying the foundation for further research in this area.

The research participants were healthy male and female college students, age range 18-24. There were 30 participants. Of the 30 subjects used for this study, 18 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 12 participants in the control group. The participants followed a protocol consisting of 13 movements designed to sequentially train the musculature of the head, neck and upper back. The duration of the study was 8 weeks.

The strength increases were significant in the active participant group. The hypertrophy of the head and neck muscles was equally as significant and even more impressive in the male group. The females exhibited minimal muscle hypertrophy. Every active participant experienced strength increases during the eight week study; likewise each active male participant exhibited neck circumference increases. The control group experienced negligible strength or hypertrophy increases.