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Neck motion in the high school football player

Observations and suggestions for diminishing stresses on the neck

Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida

Paul W. Mayer, M.D.

Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida

In a group of 40 high school athletes (height: 166.37 to 189.57 cm, average, 174.40 cm; neck circumference: 35.56 to 41.91 cm, average, 39.12 cm), the neck motions were studied in flexion and extension, clinically, radiographically, and cineoradi ographically. Flexion ranged from 34 to 84° (average 72°) and extension from 21 to 64° (average 45°) without helmet and shoulder pads. In well-fitting equipment flexion ranged from 36 to 86° (average 73°) and extension from 12 to 56° (average 34°). No correlation was determined between the size of the athlete's neck and the range of motion. The size of the athlete's neck was important in the determination of maximum stresses in the neck. The helmets impinged on the shoulder pads or interscapular region; this impingement diminished tension on the anterior portion of the cervical spine in extension. The face masks impinged on the shoulder pads in flexion of the neck; this impingement diminished stress on the posterior muscula ture. Proper fitting equipment, conditioning neck exercises, and changes in the rules of the game so that abuse of the head and neck is not encouraged are some of the aspects that may reduce the risk of injury to the cervical region in football players.

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