This research is being done to investigate the novel neck strengthening device, TopSpin360 and its effectiveness on measures of neck strength and cognitive function.
The neck plays a very important role in head positioning, stabilization, and decrease risk and severity. Neck extension strength measure has been associated with a decrease in concussion risk in male rugby players. Neck muscle characteristics may play a vital role in mitigating head accelerations due to contact thus reducing head impact severity. We hypothesize enhanced neuromuscular characteristics of cervical muscles will decrease brain impairments due to repeated contact.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Helmet training device used to train head to stay stable during jarring impacts through dynamic and multi-planar neck strengthening.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
RECRUITINGChange in peak force
Measured by a neck isometric device, maximal load in kilograms that could be applied to head before deviation from neutral position.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in normalized peak force
Measured by a neck isometric device, peak force divided by participant weight in kilograms.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in force steadiness
Measured by a neck isometric device, average peak force.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in rate of force development (RFD)
Automatically collected by the TopSpin360 device, the multi-planar rate of force development (RFD) in pounds of force per second collected in both clockwise and counterclockwise.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in visuo-motor reaction time
Measured by a neck isometric device, reported in milliseconds (ms)
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in blood biomarker levels
Blood will be at a biomarker level. We will investigate 5 different markers: NfL, SNCB, vWF, SNCA, and BDNF. Each biomarker will be measured in Nanograms per Milliliter (ng/ml).
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in salivary biomarkers
Salivary biomarkers are relatively new and we will investigate to see if NfL, SNCB, vWF, SNCA, and BDNF. Each biomarker will be measured in Nanometer per milliliter (ng/ml).
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
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Change in N100 Amplitude
Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording of brain electrical activity N100 potential amplitude. This measures is subsequently linearly transformed to a standardized score on a 0-100 scale, with larger peak amplitudes and shorter peak latencies resulting in higher scores.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in N100 Latency
Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording of brain electrical activity N100 potential latency. Increased latencies are indicative of slower responses. Obtained by EEG recording of N100 potential amplitude. This measures is subsequently linearly transformed to a standardized score on a 0-100 scale, with larger peak amplitudes and shorter peak latencies resulting in higher scores.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in P300 Amplitude
Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording of brain electrical activity P300 potential amplitude. This measures is subsequently linearly transformed to a standardized score on a 0-100 scale, with larger peak amplitudes and shorter peak latencies resulting in higher scores.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in P300 Latency
Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording of brain electrical activity P300 potential latency. Increased latencies are indicative of slower responses. This measures is subsequently linearly transformed to a standardized score on a 0-100 scale, with larger peak amplitudes and shorter peak latencies resulting in higher scores
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in N400 Amplitude
Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording of brain electrical activity N400 potential amplitude. Increased amplitudes are indicative of larger signals. This measures is subsequently linearly transformed to a standardized score on a 0-100 scale, with larger peak amplitudes and shorter peak latencies resulting in higher scores.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in N400 Latency
Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording of brain electrical activity N400 potential latency. Increased latencies are indicative of slower responses. This measures is subsequently linearly transformed to a standardized score on a 0-100 scale, with larger peak amplitudes and shorter peak latencies resulting in higher scores.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)
Change in King-Devick Test (KDT) scores
A rapid number-naming test that requires individuals to read 3 numbered patters aloud as fast as possible, the resulting time if the KDT score. The post-season score is compared to the pre-season baseline. An increase in the number of seconds required to read the 3 number patterns is considered to be significant.
Time frame: Baseline, post-season (approximately 6 months)