Some NFL players wear a type of device around their neck — what is it? What these players are wearing is called the Q-Collar, and it’s used to help prevent head injuries. How does it work, does it help, and what NFL players are wearing it? Players are becoming more savvy with technology and protecting their bodies; we’ll break down everything we know about the Q-Collar.
What Is the Q-Collar and How Does It Work?
The Q-Collar is the first and only FDA-cleared solution that helps protect the brain during repetitive head impacts. The Q30 website describes the Q-Collar as a non-invasive solution to brain protection.
By applying light pressure to the sides of the neck, the Q-Collar increases blood volume in the brain’s venous structures, reducing the harmful internal movement that causes brain injury. This is a direct counter to the brain moving around when the head is exposed to an impact.
While helmets play a large role in reducing serious injury to the skull by preventing direct contact and spreading the impact over a greater surface area, they don’t limit brain movement. Q30 studies show that jugular vein compression can reduce damage to brain neurons and axons — key indicators of brain injuries — by over 80%.
Q30 claims that years of laboratory and clinical testing showed that jugular vein compression can protect the brain in a way no external protection could. With the help of several institutions that they did not name, they conducted more than 28 independent laboratory, clinical, and wearability studies over the past 10 years that involved all types of athletes, ranging from youth to Olympic athletes.
Finding a solution to further help prevent brain injuries is an important cause for these athletes and the future of the game. Q30 notes that damage from brain slosh can be catastrophic when it occurs on a large scale, but their research shows that it is also harmful on a smaller scale.
Q30 also notes that repeated impacts to the head may alter the deep tissue (white matter) of the brain. This can pose long-term health risks, including decreased mental acuity, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
The Q-Collar’s current price is $199.99. The US FDA and Health Canada have authorized the Q-Collar for use by all athletes ages 13 and over.
Which NFL Players Wear the Q-Collar?
Tony Pollard, a running back for the Tennessee Titans, is one of many athletes who use the Q-Collar. He noted that after his agent talked to him about it, he was open to it and anything else that will help protect him and his longevity in the NFL and beyond.
“Playing the sport that I do, I’ve seen guys retire and not be able to move the same as before or function the same because of hits. Maybe it’s brain damage. Maybe it’s just from the body getting hit,” Pollard told Q30.
“It’s a tough game that we play so any kind of advantage I can get to protect myself, I have to take. I feel like wearing the Q-Collar, especially with the big impacts that we take as football players and as a running back, will definitely help me.”
Shaq Thompson, linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, had a more personal story of why he began to use the Q-Collar.
“Luke Kuechly is who made me decide to try the Q-Collar. Once he taught me about what the Q-Collar does, I was up for it. My agent then approached me saying that Q-Collar would like to work with me,” Thompson said.
“I was all for it. Anything to try and make the game safer and to protect myself for the remainder of my career. I want to protect my longevity for myself and for my kids. CTE is real and I’d do anything to help protect my brain.”
Other notable football players who are “ambassadors” for the Q-Collar include Buffalo Bills S Taylor Rapp, Houston Texans TE Dalton Schultz, Chicago Bears RB Khalil Herbert, and Cincinnati Bengals LB Logan Wilson. The Q-Collar is also widely endorsed by professional soccer and lacrosse players.
What Other Research Has Been Done with the Q-Collar?
- Jugular compression reduced damage to brain neurons and axons (key indicators of brain injury) by 83%. Read the Pre-Clinical Study here.
- There is no statistical risk to the body from wearing the collar (Human Performance Study) and no interference with performance, movement, and endurance. (In some cases, wearing the collar actually enhances performance). Learn more about this here.
- Wearing the Q-Collar resulted in no significant changes in white matter in 77% of athletes wearing the collar, while significant changes in white matter were found in 73% of athletes not wearing the collar. See the study here.
- Wearing the Q-Collar may reduce the risk and severity of traumatic brain injury (including reduced risk of hearing loss*) from blast waves*, in addition to collisions. Read the study here.