Effect of Training on the TopSpin360 on Neck Strength and 40-yard Dash Times in Female Varsity Level Athletes

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of training using a new neck protocol on two primary outcomes: neck strength (both dynamic and static) and 40-yard dash times in a group of healthy university-aged female athletes.

The secondary purposes are to 1. explore the temporal components of performance increase, notably the trajectory of training effects. 2. explore the carryover effects of training between performance metrics by evaluating the associations between dynamic performance on the training device, isometric neck strength and 40-yard dash times. 3. examine the effects of the training program on neck girth. 4. As a sub-purpose for further research, capture available data to explore a potential relationship between previous concussion history and static and dynamic neck strength during training.

All participants will be informed of the study through an email from the team's coaching staff prior to their team's out of season baseline testing at the Kirkley Training Centre at TD (Toronto Dominion) Stadium and Thompson Arena indoor track. Interested athletes will be given an email address of one of the research team to contact for further information. Those who consent will undergo a screening protocol to identify any gross cervical dysfunction prior to a baseline evaluation that includes static and dynamic neck strength assessment, neck girth measurement and 40 yard dash time. A member of the research team (physiotherapy student) will perform the screening protocol. This involves assessing full active range of motion in 6 planes of movement, no pain during the 4 quadrants 'combined planes' test, no pain with the Spurling's cervical compression test (Tong, Haig, & Yamakawa, 2002). Static neck strength will be assessed by a neck strength assessment protocol as described by Versteegh et. al. (Versteegh, Beaudet, Greenbaum, Hellyer, Tritton, Walton, 2015). Briefly, this involves having the participant hold a handheld dynamometer (force measuring device) with a soft foam contact area that is placed against the head at different points (front, back, and each side one at a time). The participant applies their own resistance with their arm(s) as they push maximally into the dynamometer with encouragement from the researchers. Peak force is held in each direction for 3 seconds and peak strength values are recorded in each direction (8 total tests). These 8 test values will be summed and divided by 8 to provide a composite neck strength score as the primary outcome measure and dependent variable for data analysis.

Following baseline testing, each participant will be familiarized with the TopSpin360. The TopSpin360 is a neuromuscular training device that is akin to a 'hula hoop' for the neck, the protocol leverages self-generated centripetal force created by using the neck to keep a weighted arm rotating about the top of a custom-fitted helmet. Each participant will have the properly sized device securely fastened to their head using the provided chin straps. They will then familiarize themselves with the exercise motion of getting the small weight to spin about the centrally mounted axis in both directions. Because the weight is relatively light, the resistance to the muscles is only produced by the centripetal force created by the spinning weight. Once they are comfortable with the exercise patterning they will perform 50 timed revolutions in each direction of clockwise and counter-clockwise. These evaluation sets will be timed (metric 1) and the peak velocity achieved for each set (metric 2) will be recorded. Neck girth will be measured using a flexible measuring tape at the level of the thyroid cartilage. Participants will have their height measured using a measuring tape against a wall, weight will be measured using the standard scale at the Kirkley Centre and participants will be asked about their previous concussion history.

After baseline neck strength assessments are performed, the participants will proceed to Thompson arena. After performing an appropriate warm-up administered by the strength and conditioning coach, the participants will complete a 40-yard dash at the indoor track. This sprint will be timed using the Western varsity athlete's electronic sprint timing system. All data will be entered into a Microsoft Excel worksheet using a unique subject number. The single master list linking the subject's name and unique number will be stored separately from the de-identified data file. Participants will also be asked if they have ever had a previous concussion and if so, how many have they had and if they have had any in the past 12 months.