Ralph Cornwell Jr - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ralph Cornwell Jr

Journal of Trainology, 2016

Sport plays a major role in the physical activity, wellbeing and socialisation of children and ad... more Sport plays a major role in the physical activity, wellbeing and socialisation of children and adults. However, a growing prevalence of concussions in sports persists, furthermore, that subconcussive forces are responsible for neurodegenerative conditions. Current approaches towards concussion prevention are dependent upon coaching strategies and enforcement by referees, or only attempt to reduce further injury, not prevent initial injury occurring. A growing body of research has shown that strengthening the muscles of the neck might serve to reduce head acceleration, change in velocity and dissipate kinetic energy from concussive and subconcussive forces. Design: Following ethical approval and parental consent a single arm, pilot study recruited 13 male and 13 female high school students to undertake 8 weeks of neck strengthening exercises 2 d.wk-1. Method: A low-volume, time-efficient approach considered progressive strength training for neck extension, flexion, and rightand left-lateral flexion exercises for a single set to muscular failure. Results: Strength outcome data was analysed using paired samples t-tests comparing predicted 1-repetition maximum for week 1 and week 8 revealing significant strength improvements for both males and females for all exercises; p < 0.001. Effect sizes were very large (2.3-4.3) for all exercises for both males and females. Conclusions: Participants showed very large increases in neck strength suggesting previous detrained condition and the potential to significantly improve strength using a simple, low volume, resistance training protocol. Athletic training should prioritise health of participants and longevity of career and as such the authors present a neck strengthening protocol with a view to reducing injury risks.

Journal of Trainology , 2016

Head and Neck strength levels may prove to be the mitigating factor in concussion and subconcussi... more Head and Neck strength levels may prove to be the mitigating factor in concussion and subconcussive forces New research points to a more organic methodology to lower debilitating concussions among athletes.

Concussions have reached epidemic levels. There is no cure for concussions. Measures taken to red... more Concussions have reached epidemic levels. There is no cure for concussions. Measures taken to reduce concussions have not been effective. The majority of research is focused on concussion causation and concussion management after the fact. The research continues but the number of concussions in athletics increases each year. No methodical approach to producing a specific protocol to strengthen the head and neck muscles exists and no systematic study of increase in neck musculature attributed to such a protocol is documented. Thus, this study will produce a standardized methodology for the reduction of concussive and subconcussive forces, laying the foundation for further research in this area. The research participants were healthy male and female college students, age range 18-24. There were 30 participants. Of the 30 subjects used for this study, 18 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 12 participants in the control group. The participants followed a protocol consisting of 13 movements designed to sequentially train the musculature of the head, neck and upper back. The duration of the study was 8 weeks.

As strength and conditioning professionals, you are charged with the duty of first and foremost p... more As strength and conditioning professionals, you are charged with the duty of first and foremost protecting the health of your athletes. Protection first and performance second is the priority. The well being of the individuals who have entrusted their health to our care hangs in the balance and to do this, training the head, neck and surrounding muscular structures of the cervical spine, whether athlete or non-athlete, must be your top priority. By training the head, neck and trapezius muscles, strength coaches enhance both the protection and performance of their athletes. A stronger neck increases the strength of an athlete, who then functions at a higher level of work. For example, consider that the trapezius muscles run from the base of the posterior skull to the thoracic vertebrae twelve. By neglecting the head, neck and upper back muscles in training regimens, it predisposes the athletes to injury. While orthopedic surgeons can repair many soft-tissue and bone-related injuries, which then allows athletes to compete again, the head and cervical spine, however, are not areas of the body where successful surgical outcomes are likely, even with the advances in modern medicine. Proactive Method Needed To Stop Concussions There are many concussion-management programs emerging across the United States. Sadly, most programs only address what to do after the athlete has concussed, rather than implement preventive sports medicine measures prior to the episode. The rate of concussion has increased steadily over the past two decades. This trend likely is caused by improvement in the detection of concussion, but also may reflect an increase in the true number of concussive impacts occurring. As athletes get bigger, stronger and faster, it is logical to figure forces associated with their collisions also increase in magnitude. It is important to realize there is currently no effective headgear to prevent concussions; therefore, as the number of forceful collisions increases, the number of concussions would be expected to increase. Concussions have become a national epidemic. Millions of dollars have been spent to fund studies over the last 15 years. The research continues but the number of concussions in athletics increases each year. Something proactive needs to be done.

Objectives: Sport plays a major role in the physical activity, wellbeing and socialisation of chi... more Objectives: Sport plays a major role in the physical activity, wellbeing and socialisation of children and adults. However, a growing prevalence of concussions in sports persists, furthermore, that subconcussive forces are responsible for neurodegenerative conditions. Current approaches towards concussion prevention are dependent upon coaching strategies and enforcement by referees , or only attempt to reduce further injury, not prevent initial injury occurring. A growing body of research has shown that strengthening the muscles of the neck might serve to reduce head acceleration, change in velocity and dissipate kinetic energy from concussive and subconcussive forces. Design: Following ethical approval and parental consent a single arm, pilot study recruited 13 male and 13 female high school students to undertake 8 weeks of neck strengthening exercises 2 d.wk-1. Method: A low-volume, time-efficient approach considered progressive strength training for neck extension, flexion, and right-and left-lateral flexion exercises for a single set to muscular failure. Results: Strength outcome data was analysed using paired samples t-tests comparing predicted 1-repetition maximum for week 1 and week 8 revealing significant strength improvements for both males and females for all exercises; p < 0.001. Effect sizes were very large (2.3-4.3) for all exercises for both males and females. Conclusions: Participants showed very large increases in neck strength suggesting previous detrained condition and the potential to significantly improve strength using a simple, low volume, resistance training protocol. Athletic training should prioritise health of participants and longevity of career and as such the authors present a neck strengthening protocol with a view to reducing injury risks.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention along with the National Institute of Health have de... more The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention along with the National Institute of Health have declared concussions a national epidemic. There is very little research being conducted about concussion reduction via proactive head and neck strengthening. If neck musculature reduces the concussive impact, then less force will be transmitted to the brain, thus decreasing the risk of concussion.
There is desperate need for a standardized head and neck resistance training protocol that should be adopted nationwide. The proposed protocol is designed to enhance the capabilities of the soft tissue that surrounds the cylindrical surface area of the human head and neck through sequenced resistance movements to train the muscles of the head and neck.
The research participants were healthy female college students, age range 18-24. There were 12 participants. Of the 12 subjects used for this study, 6 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 6 participants in the control group. The participants followed a protocol consisting of 13 movements designed to sequentially train the musculature of the head, neck and upper back. The duration of the study was 8 weeks. The results of this study demonstrate that females can increase upper body strength safely and without significant muscular size gains. The female neck during this study showed a very minimal increase in circumference while strength level increases were substantial.

Strength training the muscles of the head and neck should be the number one priority of any stren... more Strength training the muscles of the head and neck should be the number one priority of any strength and conditioning program. For some reason unknown to the author, the muscles that protect the brain and surround the cervical spine are often neglected by coaches charged with the task to prepare the athlete for the rigors of the sport in which they compete.

Abstract The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention along with the National Institute of Heal... more Abstract
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention along with the National Institute of Health have declared concussions a national epidemic. There is very little research being conducted about concussion reduction via proactive head and neck strengthening. If neck musculature reduces the concussive impact, then less force will be transmitted to the brain, thus decreasing the risk of concussion.
There is desperate need for a standardized head and neck resistance training protocol that should be adopted nationwide. The proposed protocol is designed to enhance the capabilities of the soft tissue that surrounds the cylindrical surface area of the human head and neck through sequenced resistance movements to train the muscles of the head and neck.
The research participants were healthy female college students, age range 18-24. There were 12 participants. Of the 12 subjects used for this study, 6 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 6 participants in the control group. The participants followed a protocol consisting of 13 movements designed to sequentially train the musculature of the head, neck and upper back. The duration of the study was 8 weeks. The results of this study demonstrate that females can increase upper body strength safely and without significant muscular size gains. The female neck during this study showed a very minimal increase in circumference while strength level increases were substantial.

Abstract Concussions have become a national epidemic. Millions of dollars have been spent to fu... more Abstract

Concussions have become a national epidemic. Millions of dollars have been spent to fund studies over the last 15 years. The majority of this research is focused on concussion causation and concussion management after the fact. The research continues, but the number of concussions in athletics increases each year.
No methodical approach to producing a specific protocol for strengthening the head and neck muscles exists, and no systematic study of increase in neck musculature attributed to such a protocol is documented. This study will produce a standardized methodology for the reduction of concussive and sub-concussive forces, laying the foundation for further research in this area.
The research participants were healthy male college students, ranging in age from 18-24 years old. There were 18 participants. Of the 18 subjects used for this study, 12 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and six participants were assigned to the control group. The participants followed a protocol consisting of 13 movements designed to sequentially train the musculature of the head, neck, and upper back. The duration of the study was eight weeks.
The strength increases of participants in the active group were significant. The hypertrophy of the head and neck muscles for participants in the active group was equally as significant and even more impressive. Every active participant experienced strength increases during the eight week study; likewise, each active participant exhibited neck circumference increases. Participants in the control group experienced negligible strength or hypertrophy increases.

Concussions have reached epidemic levels. There is cure for concussions. Measures taken to reduce... more Concussions have reached epidemic levels. There is cure for concussions. Measures taken to reduce concussions have not been effective. The majority of research is focused on concussion causation and concussion management after the fact. The research continues but the number of concussions in athletics increases each year.
No methodical approach to producing a specific protocol to strengthen the head and neck muscles exists and no systematic study of increase in neck musculature attributed to such a protocol is documented. Thus, this study will produce a standardized methodology for the reduction of concussive and subconcussive forces, laying the foundation for further research in this area.
The research participants were healthy male and female college students, age range 18-24. There were 30 participants. Of the 30 subjects used for this study, 18 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 12 participants in the control group. The participants followed a protocol consisting of 13 movements designed to sequentially train the musculature of the head, neck and upper back. The duration of the study was 8 weeks.
The strength increases were significant in the active participant group. The hypertrophy of the head and neck muscles was equally as significant and even more impressive in the male group. The females exhibited minimal muscle hypertrophy Every active participant experienced strength increases during the eight week study; likewise each active male participant exhibited neck circumference increases. The control group experienced negligible strength or hypertrophy increases.

Journal of Trainology, 2016

Journal of Trainology , 2016

Abstract Concussions have become a national epidemic. Millions of dollars have been spent to fu... more Abstract