E-Thesis 362 views 87 downloads
Sex Differences in Head Impact Magnitude, Neck and Head Size and Neck Strength in University Rugby Union / GEORGIA WEALL
Swansea University Author: GEORGIA WEALL
Abstract
Concussion has consistently been reported as the most significant injury in rugby union and is an area of increasing concern. Female athletes are reported to suffer from a greater concussion incidence and worse outcomes than males. Increased neck strength has been associated with a reduction in conc...
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Swansea
2021
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| Supervisor: | Williams, E. M. P. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58706 |
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| Abstract: |
Concussion has consistently been reported as the most significant injury in rugby union and is an area of increasing concern. Female athletes are reported to suffer from a greater concussion incidence and worse outcomes than males. Increased neck strength has been associated with a reduction in concussion risk and requires further investigation. The aim of this thesis was to investigate sex differences which may affect brain injury susceptibility, primarily neck strength. The magnitude of head acceleration during impact events was recorded by instrumented mouthguards. University first team rugby players (31 male and 22 female) were measured university for 13 and seven competitive matches respectively. All impacts were video and waveform verified and impact kinematics classified. Anthropometrics and isometric neck strength were measured prior to the season beginning. Male players had significantly larger head, neck and shoulder anthropometrics than female players, as well as significantly greater neck strength in all four directions. Positional differences in size and strength were much more prominent in males than females. Head impact magnitude was found to be similar in both sexes, despite the significant differences in size and strength. Negative correlations for peak rotational head acceleration with neck flexion and extension strength, and for peak linear head acceleration with neck extension strength in the male players. Successful growth of female rugby requires a focus on female-derived data to develop laws, training techniques and coach education, rather than relying on the traditional androcentric data. |
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| Keywords: |
Rugby, head impact, mouthguard, neck strength |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |