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Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players / JOSHUA MOORE

Swansea University Author: JOSHUA MOORE

Abstract

Neck strength plays a crucial role in preventing concussion, cervical spine injury, and neck pain.owever, the absence of a standardised methodology to assess neck strength and a lack of reliable normative data within rugby union poses significant challenges.This cross-sectional study aimed to compar...

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Published: Swansea University, Wales, UK 2024
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/cronfa66953
first_indexed 2024-07-04T14:11:15Z
last_indexed 2024-11-25T14:19:14Z
id cronfa66953
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2024-07-04T15:12:16.1748994 v2 66953 2024-07-04 Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players cfa6edfd56364780ffa90299c4e407fc JOSHUA MOORE JOSHUA MOORE true false 2024-07-04 Neck strength plays a crucial role in preventing concussion, cervical spine injury, and neck pain.owever, the absence of a standardised methodology to assess neck strength and a lack of reliable normative data within rugby union poses significant challenges.This cross-sectional study aimed to compare neck strength between playing levels and positions while establishing anthropometric relationships using the innovative Isometric Neck Strength Testing Apparatus (INSTA). Professional (n=47) and university (n=25) male rugby players participated in maximal isometric neck contractions, evaluating flexion, extension, and lateral flexion strength. Results showed that professional players exhibited significantly greater flexion and extension neck strength compared to university players, while lateral flexion strength remained similar between levels. Forwards consistently outperformed backs, likely due to increased involvement in contact events such as scrums, rucks, and mauls. Notably, front-row players displayed the highest neck strength across all directions. Body mass demonstrated a positive correlation with strength in all directions and positions, while extension strength displayed a weak correlation with age across groups. Height did not show any significant correlation with strength.The INSTA provided a repeatable method to assess neck strength. Comparative analyses unveiled strength trends among playing positions and levels, shedding light on positional requirements and neck strength profiles across different playing levels. Front-row players exhibited specific neck strength adaptations, whereas backs displayed the lowest neck strength measures.This study marks the initial steps in gathering repeatable neck strength data, which can contribute to neck rehabilitation, targeted neck strengthening programs, and identifying player requirements for advancing through playing levels.Continued normative data collection using reliable and repeatable methods like the INSTA can help optimise neck conditioning programs and screening processes. While this study revealed neck strength trends within rugby-playing populations, further research is necessary to conclusively determine neck strength requirements in the future. E-Thesis Swansea University, Wales, UK Rugby Union, Neck Strength, Neck Strength Assessment, Professional, University, INSTA 12 6 2024 2024-06-12 A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Williams, E. M. P. Master of Research MSc by Research 2024-07-04T15:12:16.1748994 2024-07-04T14:48:00.8741488 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences JOSHUA MOORE 1 66953__30824__c261d11a73a64195b943c851d18ed063.pdf 2023_Moore_J.final.66953.pdf 2024-07-04T15:10:10.3778736 Output 3175176 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The Author, Joshua Moore, 2024 true eng
title Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players
spellingShingle Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players
JOSHUA MOORE
title_short Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players
title_full Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players
title_fullStr Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players
title_full_unstemmed Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players
title_sort Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players
author_id_str_mv cfa6edfd56364780ffa90299c4e407fc
author_id_fullname_str_mv cfa6edfd56364780ffa90299c4e407fc_***_JOSHUA MOORE
author JOSHUA MOORE
author2 JOSHUA MOORE
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institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
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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 - Sport and Exercise Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description Neck strength plays a crucial role in preventing concussion, cervical spine injury, and neck pain.owever, the absence of a standardised methodology to assess neck strength and a lack of reliable normative data within rugby union poses significant challenges.This cross-sectional study aimed to compare neck strength between playing levels and positions while establishing anthropometric relationships using the innovative Isometric Neck Strength Testing Apparatus (INSTA). Professional (n=47) and university (n=25) male rugby players participated in maximal isometric neck contractions, evaluating flexion, extension, and lateral flexion strength. Results showed that professional players exhibited significantly greater flexion and extension neck strength compared to university players, while lateral flexion strength remained similar between levels. Forwards consistently outperformed backs, likely due to increased involvement in contact events such as scrums, rucks, and mauls. Notably, front-row players displayed the highest neck strength across all directions. Body mass demonstrated a positive correlation with strength in all directions and positions, while extension strength displayed a weak correlation with age across groups. Height did not show any significant correlation with strength.The INSTA provided a repeatable method to assess neck strength. Comparative analyses unveiled strength trends among playing positions and levels, shedding light on positional requirements and neck strength profiles across different playing levels. Front-row players exhibited specific neck strength adaptations, whereas backs displayed the lowest neck strength measures.This study marks the initial steps in gathering repeatable neck strength data, which can contribute to neck rehabilitation, targeted neck strengthening programs, and identifying player requirements for advancing through playing levels.Continued normative data collection using reliable and repeatable methods like the INSTA can help optimise neck conditioning programs and screening processes. While this study revealed neck strength trends within rugby-playing populations, further research is necessary to conclusively determine neck strength requirements in the future.
published_date 2024-06-12T20:32:25Z
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score 11.04748

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