Is This New Wearable Device The Solution For Soccer Related Head Injuries?

As the school year moves into full swing, the large and extensive array of youth sporting events and practice will plague our calendars. And while it is certainly among ours and our children’s busiest time of the year, it is also one of the most enjoyable times for a number of different reasons. However, each and every year, the question of “how do we protect our children from injury?” becomes ever more important. And even more so, the question of “how can we prevent head injuries?”

At the end of the day, we need answers, we need solutions, and we need results. Each year, the number of children suffering head injuries due to youth sports is increasing. And until a viable solution comes forward, that may continue to be the case for the years to come. However, in the case of youth soccer, we may have found a solution.

The Q-Collar
The Q-Collar is the latest wearable device and piece of protection that is specifically designed to prevent head injuries for youth soccer players. In fact, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital just recently conducted a study of female high school soccer players and concluded that a neck collar device, like the Q-Collar, may actually help to protect the brain from head impacts.

Dr. Greg Myer, Ph.D., the director of sports medicine research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the lead author of the study said, “In sports, there’s a heavy focus on single big blows to the head that might lead to what is subjectively described as a ‘concussion.’” When describing just how the Q-Collar may be able to combat these effects and protect soccer players from traumatic head injuries, Dr. Myer says, that “The Q-Collar is designed to press gently on the jugular vein to slow blood outflow, increasing the brain’s blood volume.” Essentially, if there is more blood within the brain when impact is made to the head, it is better protected within the skull cavity.

The study, conducted with 46 female high school soccer players, determined that there were significant white-matter changes when viewing baseline tests prior to the start of the season and again after the season had ended for those athletes who did not wear the color. No significant changes were found in those who did wear the collar throughout the season. At the surface level, these results indicate that the Q-Collar had actually improved the brain’s response to head impacts quite significantly.

While more research should be conducted to determine the efficacy of the Q-Collar within this population, the results found so far have certainly been promising. In addition, it would be interesting to see the Q-Collar study applied throughout a number of different youth sports, including hockey, football, and even basketball. At the end of the day, protecting our children from harm should always be the goal – especially when it comes to youth sports.

What do you think? How do you feel about the Q-Collar? Be sure to comment below and share your thoughts!