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, helping reduce the harmful internal movement that leads to brain injury. In effect, it counters the brain’s natural movement when the head absorbs an impact.
Helmets remain crucial for preventing skull fractures and spreading the force of direct contact, but they don’t stop the brain from shifting inside the skull. Q30’s studies show that jugular vein compression can reduce damage to brain neurons and axons, key markers of brain injury, by more than 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 better ways to prevent brain injuries remains critical for athletes and the future of the game. Q30 notes that while large-scale brain sloshes can be catastrophic, even smaller-scale impacts can be harmful.
Their research also indicates that repeated head impacts may alter the brain’s deep tissue (white matter), creating long-term risks such as reduced mental acuity, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
The Q-Collar is priced at $199.99 and has been authorized for use by the US FDA and Health Canada for athletes ages 13 and older.
Which NFL Players Wear the Q-Collar?
Tony Pollard, the running back for the Tennessee Titans, is among the players using the Q-Collar. He said that after his agent introduced him to it, he was open to trying anything that could help protect him and extend 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 serving as Q-Collar ambassadors include Bills safety Taylor Rapp, Texans tight end Dalton Schultz, Bears running back Khalil Herbert, and Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson. The device has also gained wide endorsement among 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.
