An August 2025 study in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, “Does strengthening the cervical spine musculature enhance neck strength and reduce sports-related concussions in rugby and football players?” by Cardenas et al. (2025) explored whether targeted cervical spine strengthening can reduce the incidence of sports-related concussions.
Neck strength and the implications for concussion is not a wholly new question. While results are mixed, this study highlights a growing conversation around prevention strategies that align closely with EyeBOX’s mission: ensuring athletes get safe, timely, and objective evaluations when concussions do occur.
Key Findings
- The study suggests that strengthening the cervical spine musculature may reduce the incidence of sports-related concussions.
- In adult collision-sport athletes, evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Strength gains, meaning measurable improvements in isometric or dynamic neck strength, are observed, but a direct decrease in concussion incidence is not always clear.
- Short-term interventions, such as six-week neck training programs, improve measurable strength in amateur athletes, but the research has not conclusively shown whether these gains translate into fewer concussions. Some studies did not measure concussion occurrence at all, while others found no clear link between strength improvements and reduced risk.
Real-World Examples
- Elite Rugby Teams: A 26-week neck-strengthening program led to fewer match-related cervical spine injuries (dropping from 11 to 2 over the season), even though overall strength gains were modest.
- Amateur Players: Randomized trials have shown that six-week neck-strengthening programs can significantly increase isometric neck strength in athletes, but these studies did not track concussion outcomes. For example, a trial in amateur rugby players found marked gains in extension and lateral flexion strength after six weeks of training (Hamlin et al., 2020). Similarly, a randomized study with collegiate soccer players reported improved anterior and antero-lateral neck strength following a six-week program, though heading biomechanics and neurocognitive measures remained unchanged (Waring et al., 2022).
- Systematic Reviews: Comprehensive reviews suggest that although neck-strengthening training holds promise, there is currently not enough high-quality evidence to confirm that it reduces concussion risk. For example, Dr. Ed Daly, University of Illinois, reviewed neck training protocols and found improved strength but no clear impact on injury outcomes (Daly et al., 2021). Similarly, a meta-analysis of more than 7,000 athletes reported only a small, non-significant association between neck strength and reduced concussion risk, with the overall certainty of evidence rated very low (Garrett et al., 2023).
Where EyeBOX Fits In
Prevention and diagnosis must work hand in hand. Neck-strengthening programs may eventually become a valuable tool for reducing concussion risk. Today’s athletes, parents, and coaches still need reliable ways to know when an injury has already happened.
That’s where EyeBOX comes in. By delivering objective, eye-movement–based concussion assessments, EyeBOX ensures athletes receive accurate and timely evaluations—bridging the gap between proactive training strategies and responsive medical care.
Looking Ahead
Strengthening neck muscles may be one step toward reducing concussions, but more research is needed to confirm its true impact. EyeBOX is committed to supporting both sides of athlete safety: prevention through collaboration with trainers and clinicians, and trusted diagnosis through innovative technology.