Adam Bartsch, PhD, director of the spine research laboratory at the Cleveland Clinic, will lead a study on the neck's influence on concussions in young athletes, according to a Crain's Cleveland Business report.
While most of the current research on concussions focuses on head impact, the team led by Dr. Bartsch will investigate the influence of the neck and spine on football-related concussions. The team has received a $100,000 grant from the National Football League's charitable foundation to conduct the study.
"We're particularly interested in understanding how rotational head and neck dynamics factor into concussive injury for youth players, who are usually outfitted with scaled-down versions of adult helmets," Dr. Bartsch said in the report.
The researchers have developed a mouth guard containing sensors to measure linear and rotational head movements to collect data, which will be compared with post-game neurological and motor test results. The investigators hope the study will yield better helmet design and test protocol, according to the report.
Read the Crain's Cleveland Business report on the study.
Read other coverage on NFL studies:
- The NFL Charities Gives $1.6M to Various Sports-Related Research Projects
- University of Toledo Receives NFL Charities Grant for Studying MRSA Spread in Artificial Turf
- Study: NFL Players Often Return-to-Play After Lumbar Discectomy
While most of the current research on concussions focuses on head impact, the team led by Dr. Bartsch will investigate the influence of the neck and spine on football-related concussions. The team has received a $100,000 grant from the National Football League's charitable foundation to conduct the study.
"We're particularly interested in understanding how rotational head and neck dynamics factor into concussive injury for youth players, who are usually outfitted with scaled-down versions of adult helmets," Dr. Bartsch said in the report.
The researchers have developed a mouth guard containing sensors to measure linear and rotational head movements to collect data, which will be compared with post-game neurological and motor test results. The investigators hope the study will yield better helmet design and test protocol, according to the report.
Read the Crain's Cleveland Business report on the study.
Read other coverage on NFL studies:
- The NFL Charities Gives $1.6M to Various Sports-Related Research Projects
- University of Toledo Receives NFL Charities Grant for Studying MRSA Spread in Artificial Turf
- Study: NFL Players Often Return-to-Play After Lumbar Discectomy