The Complex and Vital NECK

The Complex and Vital NECK

I was told by a Division 1 Strength Coach that training the neck was not important. So I decided to give him a short list of what the neck does for the human-athlete.

What is the function of the neck?

Attaches the Head to the truck.

Supports the Head and its Movements.

Protects the head.

The neck gives rise to:

Parts of the upper limbs

Parts of the cardiovascular system

Respiratory Diaphragm

The Neck is a Conduit to:

Respiratory System

Digestive System

Nervous System

Arteries, Veins

Lymph

The Neck Accommodates :

Larynx

Endocrine Glands

Parathyroids

Thymus

Also, females athletes neck to train their neck also.

It"s NOT about the HELMET! (Part One)

It's NOT About the HELMET! 

 Helmets do the job they were intended for: TO Reduce the Probability of having your skull fracture during collisions, falls and any type of accident involving an external insult to the cranium.

Helmets are not solving the problem. Helmets just don’t reduce concussions.  In fact, large helmets on Pop Warner football players just add to the weight of the player’s head which in turn is supported by small, under developed necks. 

Parents put their faith in the claims of helmet companies to protect their children.  However, according to Alison Brooks of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, parents should be wary of such claims. Dr. Brooks said, “We were getting questions from coaches and parents about helmet companies saying their helmets can prevent concussions. There's really no evidence to support that.” 

Much current research and existing theory look to helmet technology to protect athletes from concussion.  That research, however, is finding that helmets are unable to protect athletes against concussions at a truly effective level.

WE ARE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING OUR ATHLETES BIG AND SMALL.

Pro-activity must be paramount with regards to the concussion epidemic. Concussions are going to occur in sports, but as the kinetic energy is lowered by increasing the size (mass) of the cylinder (neck) through direct, full range motion resistance exercises and by increasing the stiffness or strength of the neck, the athlete will dissipate kinetic energy to the larger muscles of the lower body. If forces are lowered, then the athlete will concuss less, and debilitating sub-concussive forces will be less as well. The athlete can then play longer, with less residual damage to the brain.

                                                 http://www.concussionpreventionprotocol.com

Lets Spring Into Action And Protect Athletes

Lets Spring Into Action And Protect Athletes

 

Lets Spring Into Action And Protect Athletes                                                  
Dr. Ralph Cornwell is a PhD. in health promotion/human performance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Prior to pursuing his Doctoral Degree he was a collegiate strength coach.

Research from the best minds in the automotive safety industry  all agree, the circumference of the neck changes the way it reacts to forces applied to that area.
The former Congressional appointed Chairman of the Head  and Neck Committee put together a study on concussions and found: " Stronger necks reduce head acceleration, deltaV, and displacement. Even relatively small reductions in deltaV have a large effect on head injury criterion that may reduce concussion risks because changes in deltaV change head injury criterion through the 4th power."
Test dummies are used to simulate a human in a collision whether it is by automobile or playing sports.


How do they simulate neck strength in humans?

They change the size of the spring on the test dummies. Small to replicate a child’s neck circumference.  Medium size for female adults and large for adult males.

To simulate an athlete’s neck you have to go one step further.  The athlete’s neck is simulated by the largest and most stiff spring on a crash dummy in order to replicate the kinematics of a collision accurately.


The replicated athletic neck is more resistant to change than the mock-up normal population neck.  It  deforms less then all the simulated necks.


This is true for crash test dummies; is it not true for athletes playing sports that include collisions?
By increasing the circumference of our athlete’s necks the same result should occur. Less deformation of the cervical spine.

If this is good for test dummies, it should be good for America’s athletes risking concussion during sports. It will certainly lowers the subconcussive forces.
 
Congress calls concussions an 'American Epidemic'. Let’s start inoculating our athletes with larger stronger necks.

                                                  The Head and Neck Isolator

CONCUSSION SUMMIT

Evidence Based Protocol – Concussion Summit

When You attend the Concussion Summit what will you leave with?
You will know how to properly strength train the muscles of the head and neck. The Protocol you will be taught is the Only Evidence-Based, clinically tested method proven to lower concussion rates, reduce likelihood of spinal injury,and simply create an athlete better prepared for contact. The Protocol can be performed manually“hands on“ or with the Head and Neck Isolator machine.

This certification will give you the skills to better Protect and Prepare Your Athletes for Competition.
Date: Friday, April 10th, 2015   Doors Open at 8am. Summit Begins 8:30am
Where: Minnetonka High School:
Presentations will be in the The Forum
Demonstrations will be in the Pagel Center Weight Room (on the Minnetonka High School Campus)
Every coach says, “they care about the health of their athletes”. Here is your chance to prove it while improving your skills as a coach.
Become a Certified as a Head and Neck Training Specialist!

WHAT IS A HEAD AND NECK TRAINING SPECIALIST?

WHAT IS A HEAD AND NECK TRAINING SPECIALIST?

A PROFESSIONAL THAT HAS A SKILL SET AS VALUABLE AS IT IS RARE.

A CERTIFIED HEAD AND NECK TRAINING SPECIALIST WILL KNOW THE ANATOMY OF THE HEAD AND NECK. YOU WILL HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO SAFELY AND PROPERLY TRAIN THE MUSCULATURE OF THE HUMAN HEAD AND NECK.


THE NEXT HNTS certification opportunity will be at THE CONCUSSION SUMMIT/CERTIFICATION being held at MINNETONKA HIGH SCHOOL, MINNESOTA.

                                          THE FORUM located on the Minnetonka Campus


 LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY AND SAFELY PREPARE YOUR ATHLETES/CLIENTS FOR THE RIGORS OF THEIR COMPETITION.



Date: Friday, April 10th, 2015   Doors Open at 8am. Summit Begins 8:30am
Where: Minnetonka High School:
Presentations will be in the The Forum
Demonstrations will be in the Pagel Center Weight Room (on the Minnetonka High School Campus)

The Practical Portion of the Summit will Take PLACE in the SUPER EQUIPPED PAGEL WEIGHT ROOM.

                                         Pagel Weight Room equipped with 6 Head and Neck Isolators

Go to : concussionpreventionprotocol.com  fill out the contact us page. The Text, DVD and study material will be available February 1, 2015. Registration fee covers cost of study material.

 Online Registration: $80.00 for those not wishing to get certified
$175 for those wanting to get certified as a “Head & Neck Training Specialists”
AFTER April 3rd DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION:
At the Door: $100.00 for those not wishing to get certified
$225 for those wanting to get certified “Head & Neck Training Specialists”
Dress: Casual
Changing facilities available for the demonstration session