Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. gravity
    • ex. The apple fell from the tree because of gravity.
  2. focused
    • ex. Mark stayed focused on his studies, ignoring distractions from his phone.
  3. sore
    • ex. My neck feels sore after using my phone for many hours.
  4. posture
    • ex. Good posture helps prevent back pain, especially for people who sit at desks all day.
  5. a tuck
    • ex. After hours at the computer, she did a quick chin tuck to reduce her neck pain.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Formula 1 drivers prepared special neck exercises for the Miami Grand Prix, showing how important neck strength is in racing. Drivers train with weights and do body stretches to keep their heads steady during high-speed turns. Strong forces, up to five times gravity, push their bodies from side to side, so neck control helps them stay focused.

Health experts say these exercises can also help people with “tech neck,” a condition in which the neck becomes sore from long hours of using computers or phones. Sports medicine expert Dr. Neeru Jayanthi explained that poor posture can cause neck, shoulder, and back pain. Simple steps like sitting straight, doing chin tucks, and taking breaks every 30 to 60 minutes can reduce discomfort. Coaches like Antti Kontsas say basic training methods are similar for both drivers and everyday people.

Experts add that neck exercises should be done safely and slowly. Sessions can be short, about 10 to 15 minutes, a few times a week. Doctors also say stronger neck muscles may help prevent injuries and support recovery. People with past injuries should ask a medical professional before starting new exercises.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Formula 1 Drivers and Exercises

  • Would you like to try the neck exercises used by Formula 1 drivers? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you agree that athletes and non-athletes can use similar training methods? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, why is it important for people with past injuries to ask a doctor before starting new exercises after an injury? Discuss.

Tech Neck

  • Do you think “tech neck” is a common problem today? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What do you usually do when your neck or back feels sore? Discuss.
  • The text says neck exercises can be just 10 to 15 minutes, a few times a week. Would you prefer short exercise sessions or long exercise sessions? Why? Discuss.