The effect of a neck strengthening exercise program on concussion in high school aged athletes.

Not Applicable

• Conditions: concussion; Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation - Physiotherapy; Injuries and Accidents - Other injuries and accidents; Neurological - Other neurological disorders

• Registration Number: ACTRN12619001375145
• Lead Sponsor: The Univesity of Sydney

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2019-10-09
• Last Update Posted: 6 January 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ot yet recruiting
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 400

Inclusion Criteria

All sports high schools in New South Wales who have a development program for football, rugby union, rugby league and/or Australian rules football (for either male and/or female athletes) in years 7-12 will be invited to participate. Athletes (male and female) enrolled in these sport development programs within these schools will then be asked to participate in this research project.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants not enrolled within football, rugby union, rugby league or Australian rules football will not be eligible to participate.
Athletes with a known concussion will be ineligible unless they have been returned to play bu their general practitioner.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Concussion incidence will be measured using a self-report questionnaire specifically designed for this study.[at 6 weeks post-intervention commencement];head acceleration during purposeful heading for a sub-group of football (soccer) players using a small accelerometer mounted onto the players head (the accelerometer measures 23 x 32.5 x 7.6 (mm) in size and weighs approximately 11grams and will be secured inside a cotton beanie that the player will wear during heading drills)[6 weeks post intervention commencement];neck strength<br>The muscle strength of the neck will be undertaken by an experienced physiotherapist using a hand-held dynamometer. The dynamometer will test maximal isometric muscle contractions which means the neck does not move during testing. Athletes will be advised of the muscle strength testing procedure and will be given an opportunity to warm up and practise. [6 weeks post intervention commencement]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Concussion incidence will be measured using a self-report questionnaire specifically designed for this study.[6 months post intervention commencement];head acceleration during purposeful heading for a sub-group of football (soccer) players using a small accelerometer mounted onto the players head (the accelerometer measures 23 x 32.5 x 7.6 (mm) in size and weighs approximately 11grams and will be secured inside a cotton beanie that the player will wear during heading drills)[6 months post intervention commencement];neck strength<br>The muscle strength of the neck will be undertaken by an experienced physiotherapist using a hand-held dynamometer. The dynamometer will test maximal isometric muscle contractions which means the neck does not move during testing. Athletes will be advised of the muscle strength testing procedure and will be given an opportunity to warm up and practise. [6 months post intervention commencement]