Neck Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Cervical spine, Biomechanics, Muscle function, Electromyography, Range of motion
Brief summary
The study aims to analyze the influence of muscular and biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine on the onset and progression of neck pain in collegiate football players.
Detailed description
Repeated head impacts in contact sports are associated with an increased risk of concussion and persistent neck pain. While the neurological consequences of cranial impacts are well documented, the role of muscular and biomechanical factors of the cervical spine remains poorly understood. This study aims to examine their influence on the incidence and progression of neck pain in collegiate football players over the course of a season.This prospective cohort study will include between 40 and 60 collegiate football players assessed at three key time points (pre-season, mid-season, and post-season). Cervical range of motion, muscle activity (EMG), as well as cervical strength and endurance will be measured during these evaluations. Head impacts will be quantified throughout the football season using instrumented mouthguards. Players will complete questionnaires assessing neck pain, function, and disability. The data will analyze how head impacts, neck movements, and muscle activity influence symptom severity using advanced statistical methods that account for inter-individual variability.
Interventions
OTHERTime over a regular football season
No intervention is specifically evaluated.
Sponsors
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada
Quebec Pain Research Network
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Being enrolled as a football player in a varsity team during 2025-2026 season.
Exclusion criteria
* None
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle activity in flexion at pre-season | At pre-season (Day 0) | Amplitude of neck muscle activity measured using surface electromyography electrodes during maximal voluntary contraction in neck flexion. |
| Muscle activity in flexion at post-season | At post-season (around 4 months) | Amplitude of neck muscle activity measured using surface electromyography electrodes during maximal voluntary contraction in neck flexion. |
| Muscle activity during endurance test at pre-season | At pre-season (day 0) | Amplitude of neck muscle activity measured using surface electromyography electrodes during neck flexion endurance test. |
| Muscle activity during endurance at post-season | At post-season (around 4 months) | Amplitude of neck muscle activity measured using surface electromyography electrodes during neck flexion endurance test. |
| Endurance time pre-season | At pre-season (Day 0) | Total time during neck flexion endurance test. |
| Endurance time at post-season | At post-season (around 4 months) | Total time during neck flexion endurance test. |
| Flexion-relaxation ratio at pre-season | At pre-season (Day 0) | Ratio between amplitude of neck muscle activity measured using surface electromyography electrodes during cervical flexion and full flexion. |
| Flexion-relation ratio at post-season | At post-season (around 4 months) | Ratio between amplitude of neck muscle activity measured using surface electromyography electrodes during cervical flexion and full flexion. |
| Force at pre-season | At pre-season (day 0) | Amplitude of maximal voluntary contraction during neck flexion. |
| Force at post-season | At post-season (around 4 months) | Amplitude of maximal voluntary contraction during neck flexion. |
| Range of motion at pre-season | At pre-season (day 0) | Range of motion in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion of the neck |
| Range of motion at post-season | At post-season (around 4 months) | Range of motion in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion of the neck |
Countries
Canada
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORLaurie-Ann Corbin-Berrigan, PhD
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Outcome results
None listed