The problem of head injuries in football isn’t one that is going away, and it’s going to require more than one approach to improve safety for players long term.
One idea: new helmets. Another idea includes an emphasis on neck-strengthening exercises, which Alex Marvez of FOX writes about Monday.
Former University of Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Gittleson has made the issue a passion project. He’s made personal pleas for strength coaches to learn more about the neck’s anatomy and make neck strengthening exercises a regular part of workouts.
“I assure you there are very few programs training the neck,” Gittleson said. “It’s unbelievable. We have these magnificent bodies, and we’re not attending to the cylinder that protects the skull. We need to build to deflect and dissipate force.”
The entire column is worth a read -- it’s yet another factor to keep in mind as the NFL continues to look for ways to prevent head injuries.