As a parent or coach, the moment an athlete takes a hard hit can make your heart stop. Whether it’s a collision on the football field, a header in soccer or a fall during a cheer routine, the fear of a concussion is always in the back of your mind.
Brain injuries are among the biggest concerns in youth and competitive sports today. As awareness increases, researchers are exploring new ways to protect athletes. One device gaining attention is the concussion collar. These collars offer a new approach to brain protection but do they really work? And should athletes depend on them?
We spoke with Evan Werk, MD, a primary care sports medicine physician at Banner - University Medicine, to learn more about concussion risks in athletes and whether concussion collars may be helpful.
How common are concussions in sports?
Sports-related concussions happen at every level of play, from youth leagues to college and professional sports. Football, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, basketball and cheerleading are among the sports in which athletes face a higher risk of head injuries.
While concussions may seem more common today, the increase likely reflects improved awareness and reporting.
“The number of concussions are pretty stable but recognition is thankfully improving,” Dr. Werk said. “More of our athletes in the community are being pulled from sports appropriately so that they don’t get worse injuries and are managed more appropriately.”
In the past, athletes were more likely to continue playing after a hit to the head. Today, coaches, parents and athletic trainers are better trained to recognize concussion symptoms and remove athletes from play so they can be properly evaluated and recover safely.
What is a concussion collar?
A concussion collar, also called a Q-collar, is a soft device worn around the back of the neck underneath gear or jerseys. It fits snugly but comfortably and applies gentle pressure to the veins in the neck.
The idea behind the collar differs from that of traditional protective equipment, such as helmets. It was inspired by the observation that woodpeckers don’t get brain injuries from repetitive hits.
“Concussion collars are devices that apply gentle pressure to the jugular veins in the neck, helping to carry blood away from the brain. The pressure is gentle but enough to slightly slow blood flow out of the brain,” Dr. Werk said.
That small increase in blood volume might help lessen how much the brain moves inside the skull during impact and hopefully prevent some of the injuries that lead to concussions.
When a player gets hit, the brain, which sits in cerebrospinal fluid, moves back and forth inside the skull. A coup-contrecoup injury occurs when the brain bounces between the skull's walls during a sudden impact. This rapid back-and-forth movement stretches and strains brain tissue. Such motion is a common way concussions happen during sports collisions, falls or hard tackles.
What does current research say about concussion collars
Concussion collars have been studied in several small research trials involving athletes in sports like football and soccer. Some studies have examined brain scans taken before and after a sports season.
In some cases, athletes wearing the collar showed fewer subtle changes in brain imaging compared to athletes who did not wear the device. However, these findings do not necessarily indicate that the collars prevent concussions.
“More testing needs to be done to say whether these devices are useful to prevent concussions,” Dr. Werk said. “There aren’t any studies that definitely show that this device reduces the number of clinical concussions in any sport.”
Another important point is how these devices are regulated. The Q-collar is FDA-cleared but is not FDA-approved.
“This means it is at least equal to other devices that may prevent concussions, but it does not mean it has been extensively tested or proven to work to prevent concussions,” Dr. Werk said. “In other words, the device met certain safety and regulatory requirements but research is still ongoing.”
Are concussion collars safe for youth athletes?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Current research indicates that concussion collars are generally safe when used properly. However, like any wearable device, they still pose risks that should be considered.
“Theoretically there could be a risk of local trauma to blood vessels, though this has not been shown in use,” Dr. Werk said. “Another concern is that the collar may provide a false sense of security for some athletes: that by wearing the collar, they cannot get a concussion.”
That's why education on concussion safety is so important. Even if an athlete wears a concussion collar, they can still sustain a concussion.
Dr. Werk encourages parents and coaches to talk to a health care provider or sports medicine specialist before considering a collar. Factors to consider include:
- The sport being played
- Level of contact
- History of prior concussions
- Overall health
Strategies to reduce concussion risk
While no method can guarantee prevention, several strategies may help reduce the risk of concussions in sports.
- Teach safe playing techniques: Coaches should teach proper tackling, checking and contract techniques. Learning safe skills early helps reduce the risk of dangerous play.
- Strengthening neck muscles: Some research suggests that athletes with stronger neck muscles may experience less head movement during impacts.
- Encourage athletes to report symptoms: Athletes should never hide symptoms of dizziness, headaches or confusion.
- Remove athletes from play after a suspected concussion: Athletes should be checked by a health care provider before returning to sports.
- Limit unnecessary contact in practice: Many teams now reduce full-contact drills to lower the number of head impacts.
Bottom line
Sports offer many benefits. They build confidence, teamwork, discipline and lifelong friendships. At the same time, protecting athletes’ brains should always be a top priority.
Concussion collars are an interesting new technology that researchers continue to study. The idea behind them may help reduce brain movement during impact but current evidence does not prove they prevent concussions. For now, experts recommend viewing collars as one possible layer of protection, not a substitute for proven safety practices.
If your child plays contact sports, talk with their health care provider or sports medicine specialist about ways to help keep them safe on the field. Make an appointment with a Banner Health specialist.
