F1 Drivers Train Necks for Miami Grand Prix

Formula 1 drivers are arriving in Florida with specialized gear to strengthen their necks ahead of Sunday's Miami Grand Prix, the latest stop in the global championship where cars reach speeds of 200 miles per hour and drivers endure forces up to five times gravity.

These exercises stabilize drivers' heads during high-speed corners, allowing them to keep eyes on the track as their bodies shift violently. Weighted harnesses, resistance bands and deep bodyweight stretches form the core of the regimen, highlighting the neck, or cervical spine, as a critical yet often overlooked muscle group.

The techniques also offer practical advice for the general public battling "tech neck" or "computer neck," a common issue causing pain in the neck, shoulders and back from prolonged screen use and poor posture. "Paying greater attention to posture while using screens and adding neck-specific exercises to a fitness routine are small changes that could ease discomfort," said Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, an Atlanta-based sports medicine specialist who trains athletes across disciplines.

Everyday people do not need necks as robust as those of F1 drivers, but the fundamentals align, according to Antti...