[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/infographic-neck-strength\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/infographic-neck-strength\/","headline":"The Importance of Neck Strength","name":"The Importance of Neck Strength","description":"Learn why strengthening the neck muscles is part of any concussion rehabilitation program.","datePublished":"2017-09-20","dateModified":"2021-05-24","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/iStock-918046210.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/iStock-918046210.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/infographic-neck-strength\/","about":["Concussion","Health Topics A-Z","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":280,"keywords":["concussion","Concussion Athlete","concussion recovery","infographic","neck","neck muscles","neck strength","rehabilitation","sports injury","training"],"articleBody":"Having stronger neck muscles can help control the whipping motion of the head, which in turn controls the velocity of the brain moving inside the skull. Learn more about why strengthening the neck muscles is part of any concussion rehabilitation program.Benefits of Neck StrengthWorking to strengthen the neck muscles is an important part of any concussion rehabilitation program. In addition, it provides a layer of protection to ward off neck injuries in sports.If you get hit in the head, the dispersion of the impact and the force must go somewhere. The neck is a great shock absorber and a great mechanism for decelerating the movement of the head.Having stronger neck muscles can help control the whipping motion of the head, which in turn controls the velocity of the brain moving inside the skull.How to Strengthen Your Neck: 4 PhasesTherapeutic exercise bands of varying resistance are used instead of weights because they allow you to do functional movements used in your sport or everyday life. They are safer than hanging weights, which can compress the spine and neck.To do these stabilization exercises, one end of the therapeutic band is placed into a door jam. The other end is attached to a head harness. Please note that protective eyewear should be worn while doing these exercises.The person wearing the head harness can then do the following exercises to work various muscle groups in the neck, back, and shoulders:Isometric \u2014 stagnant bracing exercisesIsotonic \u2014 normal contraction of musclesFunctional \u2014 simulation of movements used during your sport, while having load on your neckOver Speed\/Reaction Training \u2014 deceleration exercises, used for late stage rehabilitation, prior to return-to-play"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Importance of Neck Strength","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/infographic-neck-strength\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]