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Investigating Neck Muscle Size and Strength with Concussion Risk in Soccer Players

Barry, Kimberly E

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Athletic Training (Health Sciences and Professions).
Recently, the incidence of concussion has increased and female athletes seem to be at a higher risk of concussion than their male counterparts, particularly in soccer. Researchers theorize that this may be due to the neck theory of smaller, weaker necks observed in females. In order to investigate the relationship between concussion occurrence and neck muscle size and strength, concussed and nonconcussed female and male soccer players were recruited for testing. Thirty three soccer players aged 19.48 ± 1.54 years participated in this study. The concussed group consisted of 3 males and 8 females, and the nonconcussed group consisted of 6 males and 16 females. B-mode diagnostic ultrasound imaging was used to take live images of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the midline of the sternocleidomastoid and longitudinal CSA of the upper trapezius. Intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed high reliability for the ultrasound images: ICC = 0.995-0.998. One-repetition maximum (1-RM) testing was used to assess each participant’s maximum strength for neck flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending via a cable pulley machine while wearing a head harness. In addition to the diagnostic ultrasound exam and 1-RM testing, each participant’s height, body mass, head girth and neck girth were measured. Head-neck segment mass was estimated using a formula, and body composition was measured via skinfold calipers. Several differences were found between genders and groups that further support the theory that females have smaller, weaker necks than males. In this study, in both the concussed and nonconcussed groups, males proved to have larger head and neck girths, and heavier head-segment mass than females. In both groups, males also had greater sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscle area, and greater total neck strength compared to females. The results of this study provide an explanation for why females are at a higher risk for concussion than males.
Jason White, Ph.D. (Advisor)
103 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Barry, K. E. (2014). Investigating Neck Muscle Size and Strength with Concussion Risk in Soccer Players [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1406046871

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Barry, Kimberly. Investigating Neck Muscle Size and Strength with Concussion Risk in Soccer Players. 2014. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1406046871.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Barry, Kimberly. "Investigating Neck Muscle Size and Strength with Concussion Risk in Soccer Players." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1406046871

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)