Originally Posted by Klaus

I think my most recent setback could have been mitigated by greater neck strength and body bulk - I was charged into from behind and there was no contact with my head but I got a sort of minor whiplash from the impact (unfortunately the effects haven't been minor). If my neck and body were stronger I think less of that energy would have been transferred to my head.

On the other hand I can see it working the opposite way - if you are bigger and have a stronger neck it might stop your body from moving with the head if it gets banged, thus letting your brain impact on the inside of the skull.

I was having a chat with the brother of a guy who's done a lot of research on concussion in amateur boxing (including at olympic level). The main focus of his findings are that a headguard makes concussion more rather than less likely since it supports the neck and stops the head from moving when it is struck, leading to the brain impacting on the inside of the skull with more force. Apparently he's fighting a losing battle in trying to get rid of headguards.

All I've learned that is helping me is to respect my symptoms, and to take it easy even when they seem to have gone away - my first setback came from a symptom-free week after which I felt safe to get drunk - BIG mistake. I'm trying to do nutrition and all that but can't really tell if it's helping. Rest and activity which doesn't bring symptoms on definitely does help though, just not as fast as I'd like.

My symptoms are telling me to get off this puter now - bye and good luck!