Preventing
RE-injury
Via
Exercise and
Neck
Training

​What is the PREVENT program?
The PREVENT program aims to help reduce the risk for concussion injury among people who have sustained a recent concussion, as well as in those who would like to prevent an initial concussion. It was created in response to research showing that athletes are more likely to sustain another injury when returning to sport after an initial concussion.

How can the PREVENT program help?
​The primary goal of the PREVENT Program is to reduce the risk of injury by focusing on neuromuscular training, a key factor in concussion risk management. By improving neck strength and mobility, as well as balance, the program aims to enhance overall head and neck stability, thereby decreasing the likelihood of sustaining another concussion.

​​Who can Benefit?
The PREVENT Program is suitable for anyone interested in learning about and reducing their risk of concussion. While athletes are often at a higher risk due to the physical nature of their activities, individuals from all walks of life can benefit from the program. This includes individuals who have previously experienced a concussion and those looking to prevent one in the future.

​What are the benefits and limitations of the PREVENT program?
This program is a proactive approach to address factors that influence concussion risk, which may help reduce the likelihood of injury. However, the factors that cause concussions and the role of the neck are not fully understood, so this program may not prevent all injuries or completely eliminate the risk of getting a concussion.
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Neuromuscular Training


​Neuromuscular training aims to strengthen the connection between the nervous system and muscles. This promotes optimal muscle activation and healthy movement patterns that can help reduce risk of injury. The PREVENT program looks at three key components of neuromuscular training to assess and address risk of concussion: neck range of motion, neck strength, and balance.
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Neck Range of Motion
  • A digital inclinometer is used to obtain numerical values for all ranges of movement of the neck.
  • Range of motion and muscle length are a reflection of neck health and can help identify potential neck dysfunctions, which may put an individual at higher risk for concussion injury.
Neck Strength
  • ​Isometric strength, endurance, and proprioception are evaluated using standardized measures to identify potential weaknesses or asymmetries.
  • Stronger and better controlled neck muscles can help stabilize and reduce movement of the head during impact, thereby helping to reduce the risk of concussion.
Balance
  • Dynamic and static balance are assessed using techniques designed to challenge even the most athletic of individuals.
  • Optimal balance is a reflection of a well functioning vestibular system and can act to limit potential falls and collisions.
​After a thorough assessment from a 360 Concussion Care Physiotherapist, a comprehensive home exercise program is created to address each individual athlete’s specific impairments or limitations. Future re assessment can demonstrate improvements, as well as identify any areas continuing to require attention.

Re-Injury After Concussion

  • After a concussion, athletes are more likely to sustain another injury in the next year. This could be another concussion or an orthopedic injury like an ankle sprain.
  • The risk for re-injury remains elevated even once an athlete's concussion symptoms have resolved and they have been medically cleared to return to sport.
Why are injuries more common after concussion?
It is not entirely clear yet why athletes are at greater risk for injury after concussion. This is an active area of research with several potential theories proposed:

Sensory dysfunction: Concussions can cause subtle changes in the vestibular (balance) and oculomotor (vision) systems that are difficult to detect using current assessments and may contribute to falls or collisions.

Altered movement patterns: Concussions can alter the way people recruit their muscles when they move, which affects joint stability during running and jumping. These changes are even greater when attention is divided with the addition of a cognitive task (e.g., thinking or talking), such as in sport.

Perception-action mismatch: Concussions can affect how people perceive stimuli and the actions they take in response. For example, an athlete may misjudge the space between two other players, leading to a collision.
What can be done to prevent re-injury after concussion?
Researchers are currently exploring strategies for preventing injury after concussion.

Gradual return to sport through stages of increasing difficulty is important to prepare the body's sensory, nervous, and muscular systems for the demands of sport.

Neuromuscular training is a type of exercise program that aims to strengthen the connection between the nervous system and muscles. This promotes optimal muscle activation and healthy movement patterns that may help to reduce the risk for injury.
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Return to Activity Protocols

​Here’s what you need to know about returning to school, work or other activity after a concussion.


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