A motocross rider's equipment must protect the whole body. No one would ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but the part of the body most often neglected is the neck and cervical vertebrae!
The neck and cervical vertebrae are under constant strain, and even more so in the event of a crash or fall. Fortunately, there are now neck braces that are both effective and easy to wear. Let's take a closer look at how they work.
Cervical weakness
When you're riding, your cervical vertebrae are already put to the test, between the impact of uneven terrain and the weight of your helmet. In the event of a more violent impact, a fall or a collision, your neck has to absorb hyperflexion if your chin is bent over your thorax, hyperextension if your head is tilted backwards, and hyperrotation if your head "twists" to one side or the other.
The consequences are disastrous, sometimes fatal. You risk displacement of the vertebrae, pinching of the spinal canal, rupture of certain nerves and, at worst, rupture of the spinal cord.
But rest assured, today's neck braces are extremely effective. Even if there is no such thing as zero risk, they absorb the violence of impact, while limiting extreme neck movements.
How did the cervical neck brace come into being?
In 2001, South African doctor Chris Leatt witnessed the death of a motorcycle rider while accompanying his son, himself a rider. He decided to use his medical knowledge to develop the first cervical neck brace.
Today, the Leatt brand is the market leader, along with its Italian counterpart Alpinestars.
There are also other quality brands, such as Acerbis and Kenny.
The consequences of wearing a poor-quality neck brace can be terrible, so don't be tempted by a completely unknown brand, or by a cheap entry-level product that may be suspect.
Go for tried-and-tested brands, especially as quality goes hand in hand with longevity. If you buy low-end equipment, you'll not only be poorly protected, but you'll also have to quickly replace your neck brace, which will deteriorate too quickly.
Last but not least, the major brands are working hard to improve the ergonomics of their neck protectors for greater rider comfort.
How to choose your neck brace?
Designs differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and from neck brace to neck brace. The harness at the base of the neck brace is fastened with Velcro or elastics, and does not prevent the rider from opening the jacket and accessing interior pockets.
In addition to a simple neckband, the neck brace must feature a chest element and torso support - adjustable if necessary - and a platform designed to allow greater freedom of movement on the sides. With wider supports running down the front and back of the rider's torso, pressure is better distributed over the shoulders and torso.
Soft or rigid neck brace?
Wearing a neck brace is not yet compulsory, but when the FFM asked itself the question, it commissioned a study from an applied biomechanics laboratory at Marseille's Hôpital Nord Faculty, INRETS.
Here's what Jacques Bolle, president of the FFM, had to say in Paris in 2010: "Soft neck protectors don't provide any added protection. Rigid collars, such as Leatt Brace, can, in some cases, provide additional protection, but not enough for the FFM to make them compulsory."
INRETS' findings proved that simple soft chokers are of little use, and that rigid neck braces are far more effective, even if they are not infallible.
Another argument in favor of rigid neck braces is that they do not increase the risk of further injury, which contradicts opponents of the neck brace who argue that the impact is transferred to the clavicles.
In fact, the statistics support this observation: wearing a neck brace has reduced the number of cervical injuries, without increasing the number of shoulder or clavicle fractures.
So, even if they are not compulsory in competition, the efficiency of rigid neck braces has been proven by INRETS tests.
Consider the practicality of the neck brace
As with all motocross equipment, you need to strike the right balance between protection and mobility. If your neck brace is too large and heavy, your agility and handling will suffer.
Weight is no guarantee of quality: modern materials are stronger yet lighter.
You also need to consider the trim of your neck brace. You're going to have pressure on your shoulders the whole time you're riding, so it needs to be padded, or made of a naturally comfortable material.
Next, you need to think about temperature. If you're riding in hot weather, direct contact with an insufficiently padded frame quickly becomes unbearable.
That's why you shouldn't choose a neck brace made of crude plastic, but one with fabric or synthetic padding.
And don't forget hygiene: the padding must be easy to wash, and if it's made of fabric, it can be supplied in the form of a removable cover.
There are also special minervents for children, so don't forget them!
What are the disadvantages of a motocross neck brace?
There are two major disadvantages to wearing a neck brace: you are somewhat restricted in your head movements, and there may be incompatibilities with certain equipment, notably the vest or stone guard.
Head movement restrictions are tending to diminish as manufacturers progress, but it's clear that they do exist, since that's the principle behind them. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the minerva's function is, among other things, to limit the amplitude of movements that go beyond the physical strength of the neck.
However, the discomfort remains relative to the protection it provides. If you're not used to wearing a neck brace, you may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you'll soon get used to it. Over time, you'll come to wear it naturally, and you'll feel much more confident about riding safely, well protected.
As far as compatibility is concerned, the neck brace is compatible with the jacket and does not prevent it from opening and closing. On the other hand, they don't always work well with protective vests or stone guards.
To remedy this problem, simply anticipate it when you buy your vest and/or neck brace.
If you plan to wear both, choose the right model. Don't hesitate to check with your dealer to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
And don't forget!
In the event of a violent impact, fall or collision, even if your neck brace shows no signs of fracture, it may have been weakened. Just like your helmet, you need to change it.
