Poster Session

Exploring the Effects of a Neck Strengthening Program on Purposeful Soccer Heading Biomechanics

Location

Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center

Access Type

Open Access

Entry Number

32

Start Date

4-10-2019 12:00 PM

End Date

4-10-2019 1:15 PM

College

Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Mathematics

Abstract

Context: Neck strengthening has been proposed as an important factor in concussion predisposition. However, the effect of neck strengthening programs on neurocognition after purposeful heading has not been identified. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine if a 6-week strengthening program increases soccer athletes’ neck strength and causes changes in heading biomechanics outcomes after a bout of repetitive purposeful soccer heading. Methods: Twenty collegiate soccer athletes (8 males, 12 females, age=20.15±1.35 years, height=171.67±9.01, mass=70.56±11.03) volunteered to participate. Time (pre and post) and group (experimental and control) served as the independent variables. Strength measurements in 7 directions (anterior, right anterolateral, left anterolateral, right rotation, left rotation, right posterolateral, left posterolateral) and heading biomechanics from xPatch from X2 Biosystems (Linear acceleration (PLA), Rotational acceleration (PRA), Duration, and Gadd Severity Index (GSI)) served as the dependent variables. Each athlete completed a baseline measure of neck strength and wore a xPatch to gather heading biomechanics data after heading 10 soccer balls. We used a Microfet hand-held dynamometer to measure the participants’ neck strength. The participants completed three trails in each direction and we calculated the average. The experimental group completed specific neck strengthening exercises twice a week for 6 weeks using a Shingo Imara. The neck exercises consisted of 2 sets of 4 neck movements until fatigue. The control group did not perform neck strengthening exercises. After six weeks, the athletes completed the same neck strength testing protocol and the xPatch collected the heading biomechanics data. We analyzed the data using 2x2 mixed model ANOVAs for each of the dependent variables. Results:There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PLA at 25 mph(F1,11 = 0.661, P = .434 , η2 = .057, 1-β=.115). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PLA at 40 mph(F1,11 = 0.982, P = .343 , η2 = .082, 1-β=.148).There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PRA at 25 mph (F1,11 = 0.003, P = .957 , η2 = .0, 1-β=.050). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PRA at 40 mph(F1,11 = 0.002, P = .965 , η2 = .0, 1-β=.050). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for DURATION at 25 mph(F1,11 = 0.414, P = .533 , η2 = .036, 1-β=.091). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for DURATION at 40 mph(F1,11 = 0.078, P = .785 , η2 = .008, 1-β=.057). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for GSI at 25 mph(F1,11 = 1.030, P = .332 , η2 = .086, 1-β=.153). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for GSI at 40 mph(F1,10 = 0.547, P = .477 , η2 = .052, 1-β=.103). Conclusion: The data shows that the neck strengthening protocol did not affect heading biomechanics of the collegiate soccer athletes in this study. More research should be done to determine the role that neck strength plays in anticipated soccer heading.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Tom Bowman

Rights Statement

The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 10th, 12:00 PM Apr 10th, 1:15 PM

Exploring the Effects of a Neck Strengthening Program on Purposeful Soccer Heading Biomechanics

Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center

Context: Neck strengthening has been proposed as an important factor in concussion predisposition. However, the effect of neck strengthening programs on neurocognition after purposeful heading has not been identified. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine if a 6-week strengthening program increases soccer athletes’ neck strength and causes changes in heading biomechanics outcomes after a bout of repetitive purposeful soccer heading. Methods: Twenty collegiate soccer athletes (8 males, 12 females, age=20.15±1.35 years, height=171.67±9.01, mass=70.56±11.03) volunteered to participate. Time (pre and post) and group (experimental and control) served as the independent variables. Strength measurements in 7 directions (anterior, right anterolateral, left anterolateral, right rotation, left rotation, right posterolateral, left posterolateral) and heading biomechanics from xPatch from X2 Biosystems (Linear acceleration (PLA), Rotational acceleration (PRA), Duration, and Gadd Severity Index (GSI)) served as the dependent variables. Each athlete completed a baseline measure of neck strength and wore a xPatch to gather heading biomechanics data after heading 10 soccer balls. We used a Microfet hand-held dynamometer to measure the participants’ neck strength. The participants completed three trails in each direction and we calculated the average. The experimental group completed specific neck strengthening exercises twice a week for 6 weeks using a Shingo Imara. The neck exercises consisted of 2 sets of 4 neck movements until fatigue. The control group did not perform neck strengthening exercises. After six weeks, the athletes completed the same neck strength testing protocol and the xPatch collected the heading biomechanics data. We analyzed the data using 2x2 mixed model ANOVAs for each of the dependent variables. Results:There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PLA at 25 mph(F1,11 = 0.661, P = .434 , η2 = .057, 1-β=.115). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PLA at 40 mph(F1,11 = 0.982, P = .343 , η2 = .082, 1-β=.148).There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PRA at 25 mph (F1,11 = 0.003, P = .957 , η2 = .0, 1-β=.050). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for PRA at 40 mph(F1,11 = 0.002, P = .965 , η2 = .0, 1-β=.050). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for DURATION at 25 mph(F1,11 = 0.414, P = .533 , η2 = .036, 1-β=.091). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for DURATION at 40 mph(F1,11 = 0.078, P = .785 , η2 = .008, 1-β=.057). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for GSI at 25 mph(F1,11 = 1.030, P = .332 , η2 = .086, 1-β=.153). There was no interaction present between Group and Time for GSI at 40 mph(F1,10 = 0.547, P = .477 , η2 = .052, 1-β=.103). Conclusion: The data shows that the neck strengthening protocol did not affect heading biomechanics of the collegiate soccer athletes in this study. More research should be done to determine the role that neck strength plays in anticipated soccer heading.