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Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union / VICTORIA HAYDEN

Swansea University Author: VICTORIA HAYDEN

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Abstract

Women’s rugby union has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with female players now comprising one-third of the global rugby playing population. Despite these numbers, most existing rugby injury and biomechanics data is derived from androcentric studies that are generalised and applied...

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Published: Swansea 2022
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Master of Research
Degree name: MSc by Research
Supervisor: Williams, Elisabeth ; Mackintosh, Kelly A.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59621
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first_indexed 2022-03-15T10:55:37Z
last_indexed 2022-03-16T04:32:02Z
id cronfa59621
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2022-03-15T12:30:21.0875992 v2 59621 2022-03-15 Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union f171113092e4f9a56a53441bba0633c5 VICTORIA HAYDEN VICTORIA HAYDEN true false 2022-03-15 Women’s rugby union has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with female players now comprising one-third of the global rugby playing population. Despite these numbers, most existing rugby injury and biomechanics data is derived from androcentric studies that are generalised and applied to female players, regardless of the well-established biomechanical and physiological sex differences. Concussion is a concerning player welfare issue in rugby; however, neck strength is reported to be an important variable in head impact reduction. The primary aim of this thesis was to quantitatively assess neck strength and head acceleration magnitude in female university level players. Baseline maximal isometric neck strength and endurance of university women’s rugby players (n=30) were measured using a purpose-built isometric neck strength testing apparatus. The intervention group (n=20) then participated in a nine-week neck strengthening training programme before mid-season re-tests. In addition, the magnitude of head acceleration events was recorded for players from the intervention group (n=12) during six competitive games using instrumented mouthguards. The influence of neck strength on head acceleration magnitude data was investigated, as well as the contribution of playing position, anthropometric variables, playing experience and the mechanisms of the head acceleration event. The players recorded limited anthropometric and positional specificity. Of the 73 verified head acceleration events recorded, the median peak linear and rotational acceleration were 11.9 ± 7.3 g and 830.9 ± 646.9 rad•s-2 respectively. Notably, whiplash head-to-ground movements were recorded more frequently that in androcentric studies. There was a positive intervention effect on neck strength, but no correlation between neck strength and head acceleration magnitude. The findings provide an evidentiary platform of objective data, demonstrating the requirement of female representation in rugby union studies. Safe and effective training interventions for female players, based on female-derived data are pertinent to facilitate the further development of women’s rugby. E-Thesis Swansea 15 3 2022 2022-03-15 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Williams, Elisabeth ; Mackintosh, Kelly A. Master of Research MSc by Research 2022-03-15T12:30:21.0875992 2022-03-15T10:37:16.5164852 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Uncategorised VICTORIA HAYDEN 1 59621__22598__458981503434418c81c89808675cab8a.pdf Hayden_Victoria_MSc_Research_Thesis_Final_Redacted_Signature.pdf 2022-03-15T12:26:34.7487574 Output 1434721 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The author, Victoria G. Hayden, 2022. true eng
title Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union
spellingShingle Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union
VICTORIA HAYDEN
title_short Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union
title_full Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union
title_fullStr Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union
title_full_unstemmed Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union
title_sort Neck Strength and Head Acceleration Events in University Women’s Rugby Union
author_id_str_mv f171113092e4f9a56a53441bba0633c5
author_id_fullname_str_mv f171113092e4f9a56a53441bba0633c5_***_VICTORIA HAYDEN
author VICTORIA HAYDEN
author2 VICTORIA HAYDEN
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2022
institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Uncategorised{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Uncategorised
document_store_str 1
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description Women’s rugby union has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with female players now comprising one-third of the global rugby playing population. Despite these numbers, most existing rugby injury and biomechanics data is derived from androcentric studies that are generalised and applied to female players, regardless of the well-established biomechanical and physiological sex differences. Concussion is a concerning player welfare issue in rugby; however, neck strength is reported to be an important variable in head impact reduction. The primary aim of this thesis was to quantitatively assess neck strength and head acceleration magnitude in female university level players. Baseline maximal isometric neck strength and endurance of university women’s rugby players (n=30) were measured using a purpose-built isometric neck strength testing apparatus. The intervention group (n=20) then participated in a nine-week neck strengthening training programme before mid-season re-tests. In addition, the magnitude of head acceleration events was recorded for players from the intervention group (n=12) during six competitive games using instrumented mouthguards. The influence of neck strength on head acceleration magnitude data was investigated, as well as the contribution of playing position, anthropometric variables, playing experience and the mechanisms of the head acceleration event. The players recorded limited anthropometric and positional specificity. Of the 73 verified head acceleration events recorded, the median peak linear and rotational acceleration were 11.9 ± 7.3 g and 830.9 ± 646.9 rad•s-2 respectively. Notably, whiplash head-to-ground movements were recorded more frequently that in androcentric studies. There was a positive intervention effect on neck strength, but no correlation between neck strength and head acceleration magnitude. The findings provide an evidentiary platform of objective data, demonstrating the requirement of female representation in rugby union studies. Safe and effective training interventions for female players, based on female-derived data are pertinent to facilitate the further development of women’s rugby.
published_date 2022-03-15T04:17:04Z
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score 11.013776

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