NCT07423052

Muscle and Biomechanical Factors in Football-Related Neck Pain

Neck Pain and Head Impacts: Evaluation of the Role of Muscular and Biomechanical Factors in Varsity Football Players.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 90 (actual)
• Sponsor: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Conditions

• Neck Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Time over a regular football season	No intervention is specifically evaluated.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-05
• Primary completion: 2025-12-20
• Completion: 2025-12-20
• First posted: 2026-02-20
• Last updated: 2026-02-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada