Why the workouts of Formula 1 drivers might help computer users with ‘tech neck’
The training techniques of professional racing car drivers highlight an often-overlooked muscle group and having healthy foundations is key
Keeping your eyes on the road is vital if your car travels at a speed of 322km/h (200mph). A strong neck helps.
Neck-strengthening exercises are integral in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 racing. Plenty of drivers will bring specialised training gear for that purpose when they arrive in Florida for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix, the next event of a lucrative, year-long championship that spans the globe.
Working out with weighted harnesses or using deep body-weight stretches stabilise their heads and help them stay focused on the track through high-speed corners while forces up to five times as strong as gravity heave their bodies from side to side.
Adults with “tech neck” do not work in such extreme conditions, but the training techniques of professional racing car drivers highlight an often-overlooked muscle group.
Paying greater attention to posture while using screens and adding neck-specific exercises to a fitness routine are small changes that could ease discomfort, according to Dr Neeru Jayanthi, an Atlanta-based sports medicine specialist who works with athletes of all ages from a range of sports.
“Does a normal person need to have a neck like an F1 driver? Probably not,” Antti Kontsas, an experienced performance coach who worked with four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel and other stars of the sport, said.