Staff Thesis 43 views 21 downloads
The Effects of a Rugby Season on Neck Strength in Professional Men’s Rugby Union
Will Robinson
Swansea University Author: Will Robinson
Abstract
Rugby union is a physically demanding sport that places tremendous strain on players' bodies.While physical and mental well-being receive close attention, the importance of neck strength often goes unnoticed. Contact events such as tackles and scrums exert significant pressure on the neck regio...
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Swansea University, Wales, UK
2024
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67066 |
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| Abstract: |
Rugby union is a physically demanding sport that places tremendous strain on players' bodies.While physical and mental well-being receive close attention, the importance of neck strength often goes unnoticed. Contact events such as tackles and scrums exert significant pressure on the neck region, potentially compromising strength and function. This may increase brain and cervical injury risk, as players may struggle to mitigate forceful impacts. Front five players may be particularly susceptible, but limited data exists on how rugby activities affect neck strength throughout the season.In this longitudinal study, the maximal isometric neck strength of 33 professional male rugby union players was measured over the 2021-2022 professional rugby season, using a custom-designed apparatus. Testing comprised two components: (i) pre-, mid-, and post-season testing of the entire squad to explore positional differences and seasonal patterns, and (ii) a front-five case study involving weekly neck strength testing to monitor changes and their associations with-game events.The findings revealed a significant decrease in neck strength among the forwards in all directions from pre- to post-season, while no significant changes were observed among the backs. At the season’s outset, the forwards exhibited significantly greater neck strength compared to the backs, with only neck extension remaining significantly stronger by the end.he front-five case study identified associations between decreased neck strength and in-game events in some players.This study provides valuable insights regarding observed decrements in neck strength among professional male rugby players, despite limited statistical power. Further research is needed to enhance the generalisability of these findings. Moreover, the study demonstrates the feasibility and reliability of a weekly neck strength monitoring protocol, which can help identify weaknesses and imbalances to prevent neck and head injuries. These findings highlight the potential for establishing a standardised methodology for monitoring neck strength within the rugby community. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information |
| Keywords: |
Neck strength, Rugby union |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |