I used to think neck training reduced concussion risk.

Now I think its effect is small, if it exists at all.

Back in the early 2020’s there was a study flooding instagram:

“For every pound of neck strength, odds of concussion is reduced by 5%” (Collins et al., 2014)

Coaches and athletes were well intentioned in sharing it.

Logically it makes sense –

a stronger neck will resist head motion

Which reduces the risk of brain injury.

Turns out, no.

And I’m still ashamed of my lack of vigor before sharing this study.

Here’s my current view:

Neck research started on cats… (1940-1970)

The protocol was pretty fucked up.

They strapped cats heads down

And shot them with a bolt gun…

They found if that cats head was in a fixed position

They didn’t get concussed

(although a lot died…)

Therefore, researchers assumed that if you can increase your neck strength

You can resist head motion during impact (i.e. neck stiffness)

And, therefore, reduce concussion risk

There’s one huge problem

Peak brain strain occurs  ~15ms after head impact (Viano et al., 2007)

It’s instantaneous.

As soon as you’re hit, you’re concussed.

But, your neck only starts contacting 80ms after impact

i.e. by the time your neck contracts, the damage is already done, meaning strength isn’t that valuable

Where neck strength may help is:

In situations where we know the impact is coming and we have the time to brace for it

However, you’d probably move your body out the way… 😂

So for now, isolated neck strength training has little to no effect on concussions (Ivanic et al., 2024)

However, please, don’t bin neck training.

A stronger neck can help reduce neck pain and neck injuries, both of which are common in contact and combat sports. In some cases, it may also reduce headaches.

It may also help reduce head acceleration in controlled situations when the impact is anticipated.