In the opening match against Nigeria at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Canadian midfielder Rebecca Quinn was seen wearing a “strange” device around her neck.
This device resembles a necklace, which raised many questions among viewers.
Q-collar device.
According to Insider, the device is called Q-collar, designed to help players reduce the risk of brain injuries.
In addition to midfielder Rebecca Quinn, Costa Rican star Rocky Rodríguez also frequently wears this device on the field. Dozens of amateur and professional soccer and volleyball players are using it as well, according to The New York Times.
The Q-collar is believed to increase blood flow to the brain and limit the risk of concussions during impacts, providing additional protection for athletes’ brains.
Midfielder Rebecca Quinn of the Canadian women’s team wearing the Q-collar device – (Photo: AP).
Developed by Q30 Innovations, a company based in Connecticut, USA, the Q-collar is suitable for athletes aged 13 and older.
According to the manufacturer, dozens of scientific studies have been conducted, and the device has been tested on hundreds of individuals, with results showing that athletes wearing this device are able to avoid the adverse effects of head impacts.
Information from Insider reveals that in 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of Q-collar as a medical device, stating that “the use of the device shows potential brain protection”.
The FDA’s statement noted that while there has been some debate regarding the methods used in studies assessing the efficacy of the Q-collar, the FDA found that “there were no significant side effects related to the use of the device”.
