Results: Prior to the tackling task, joint positioning sense was poorer at the 45° criterion angle than for 20° off the athletes' maximal range angle. Following the tackling task, error scores were significantly increased from baseline measures at the outer range criterion angle for both dominant and non-dominant sides. In contrast to previous research the detrimental effect of the task was also greater. In addition, there was a significant decrease in accuracy at the 45 ° criterion angle for the players' nondominant side.Conclusions: This study found a significant decrease in accuracy of joint position sense following the tackling task. It also found this decrease to be greater than previous research findings. In contrast to previous studies that found no effect at the 45 ° criterion angle, this study found significant changes for the players' nondominant side occurred at this angle. A possible explanation for this is that the sensory motor system is negatively affected by fatigue and consequently shoulder M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 3 dynamic stability is reduced. This fatigue element explains the trend for increased injury frequency in the third quarter of the game and would provide a rationale for the inclusion of conditioning programmes that address fatigue resistance and motor coordination in the region.

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