Effect of neck strengthening and stability training for footballers

The intervention group with receive a neck strengthening and stability program. Cervical isometric strengthening will involve resisted static contraction of flexion, extension, and lateral flexion (left and right). Resistance will be provided by participants own hand(s). Each direction will involve one contraction of 15 seconds duration and there will be 30 seconds rest between efforts. Cervical reflex stability will involve an eccentric sit up without head support (flexors), catch onto hands from kneeling position (extensors), and rolling into side lying positions (lateral flexion – left and right). Each stability exercise will be 30 seconds in duration. The program will completed in a group supervised session once per week and two independent sessions twice per week. The supervised sessions will be facilitated by a physiotherapist, exercise physiologist, or exercise scientist. The program will run for 12 weeks. Adherence will be measured using self report (exercise diary).