Reliability of Repeated Isometric Neck Strength and Endurance Testing in a Simulated Contact Posture

Salmon, Danielle; Handcock, Phil; Sullivan, S. John; Rehrer, Nancy J.; Niven, Brian E.

doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000000689

Cited by 12 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Our results suggest that the extensor muscles may have a larger role to play than previously thought in attenuating forces of impact. The cervical extensors are consistently reported to be the muscle group that generate the highest isometric neck force 25 39 40. It may be possible, therefore, that this strength range represents the greatest defensive mechanism at reducing the force of impacts during sagittal plane impact, previously identified as the most common direction of concussive impacts in male professional rugby players 12…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Poor isometric neck extension strength as a risk factor for concussion in male professional Rugby Union players

Farley

Barry²,

Sylvester

et al. 2022

Br J Sports Med

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BackgroundConcussion is one of the highest burden injuries within professional Rugby Union (‘rugby’) and comes with a high health and financial cost to players and teams. Limited evidence exists as to the existence of modifiable intrinsic risk factors for concussion, leaving athletes and clinicians with few options when developing prevention strategies.ObjectiveTo investigate whether neck strength is significantly associated with concussion incidence in professional male rugby players.Methods225 rugby players were assessed for neck strength at three time points throughout the 2018/2019 season using a method of isometric contraction. Associations with clinically diagnosed concussion injuries are presented as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs.ResultsThirty concussions occurred in 29 players during the study period; a rate of 13.7 concussions per 1000 hours played. Greater neck strength was observed at mid and end of season time points versus preseason across the study population. There was a significant association between extension strength and concussion; a 10% increase for extension strength was associated with a 13% reduction in concussion rate (adjusted IRR (95% CI) 0.87 (0.78 to 0.98). No other significant associations were observed between concussion incidence and any other unique neck strength range or composite score.ConclusionHigher neck extension strength is associated with lower concussion rates in male rugby players. Neck strength is a modifiable intrinsic risk factor for concussion and may be an important component of a strength and conditioning regime.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Poor isometric neck extension strength as a risk factor for concussion in male professional Rugby Union players

Farley

Barry²,

Sylvester

et al. 2022

Br J Sports Med

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“…Most previous studies investigating neck strength have conducted testing in a seated position with the torso restrained, [33, 34]. Trunk stabilisation is reported, [13] to be essential for reliable and valid neck strength measurements, [34], however trunk stabilisation limits construct validity and the functional relevance of the strength measures, [13]. In this study the trunk was stabilised through the retraction of the scapulae and the horizontal body position with the elbow extended perpendicular to the shoulders and 90° hip and knee flexion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study the trunk was stabilised through the retraction of the scapulae and the horizontal body position with the elbow extended perpendicular to the shoulders and 90° hip and knee flexion. A previous study,[13] used a similar body position, but with the trunk supported on a bench. The absolute values reported for the control group (Table 3) in the current study were 23 – 83 N stronger than those reported in a similar population,[19] but regardless of the strength differences the patterns reported for each movement direction were similar.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Measurements of neck strength do exist in the literature,[8, 12, 13] however, these capacity tests have utilised different modes of assessment,[1]. Previous research,[13] has relied on a custom-built fixed frame which was constructed by the authors in order to generate reliable data sets from the load cells. To date all research into neck strength has also utilised differing start positions thus the results are specific to the research setting but not generalisable to the rugby population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cervical Spine Assessment Techniques and Neck Strength Profiles of Elite Rugby Union Players Using an Innovative Measurement Approach

McBride

Oxford²

2020

Preprint

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Objectives: Neck injuries and concussion commonly occur in the sport of Rugby Union. This study analyses the current practices of medical staff in assessment of the neck and proposes a new position-specific method using a commercially available setup for the assessment of neck strength. Methods: A survey was employed and distributed to 40 Premiership and Championship Rugby Union clubs. Thirty-eight University students (18 males and 20 females) were tested on two occasions at least 72hrs apart to determine reliability and 131 elite Rugby Union players (forwards n = 82, backs n = 49) were tested on a single occasion. Isometric neck strength was measured using a commercially available rig and digital load cell, for flexion (Flex), extension (Ext), left side flexion (LSF) and right-side flexion (RSF). Peak of three trials for each position was used for statistical analysis. Results: Survey findings indicated no standard practice used in the assessment of the neck across the professional teams. Intra-rater reliability interclass correlation values > 0.924 when using peak neck strength across all directions, thus indicating excellent reliability. Forwards recorded significantly greater absolute values for cervical spine strength across all directions (p < 0.01) however, relative values showed no significant difference between players (p > 0.05) Conclusion: The results show that the commercially available rig and digital load cell are a reliable tool for the assessment of isometric strength of the cervical spine and provide reference values for healthy males as well as elite Rugby Union forwards and backs.

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“…To avoid ballistic movements, participants were asked to first take the strain, and then over a 2-3 second period gradually increase the force to maximal exertion to be held for 3 seconds. Verbal encouragement was provided for each MVC (3 trials in each of the 4 head positions) and a 60-second rest period was given between each trial (Salmon, Handcock, Sullivan, Rehrer, & Niven, 2015). The peak force (kg) was recorded during the 3-second MVC.…”

Section: Strength Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of a 6-week exercise intervention for improved neck muscle strength in amateur male rugby union players.

2020

JSES

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Neck strengthening for players in impact sports like rugby is receiving greater attention lately due to postulated associations with head and neck injury and concussion and while research is available on the effectiveness of neck strengthening interventions on professional rugby players, the same research has not been conducted on amateurs who make up the majority of rugby players. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 6-week neck strengthening intervention on a group of male amateur rugby union players (20.1 ± 2.0 yr, mean ± SD). In a randomized controlled trial, players worked with their trainer to practice neck-specific strengthening exercises 3 times per week for 6 weeks (strength group, n = 22) or performed no additional neck strengthening exercises (control group, n =17). Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was measured pre and post the intervention in 4 different directions (flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion). Compared to the control group the strength group improved neck strength in all directions except flexion (flexion 7.1 ± 13.0 kg, mean ± SD, 75/18/7%, chances of positive/trivial/negative increase in strength, p = 0.28; extension 13.5 ± 14.6 kg, 92/7/1%, p = 0.07; left lateral flexion 13.5 ± 11.3 kg, 97/3/0%, p = 0.02; right lateral flexion 13.8 ± 14.9 kg, 92/7/1%, p = 0.07. Our results indicate that a simple 6-week neck strengthening program improves isometric MVC strength in male amateur rugby players.

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Reliability of Repeated Isometric Neck Strength and Endurance Testing in a Simulated Contact Posture

Cited by 12 publications

References 34 publications

Poor isometric neck extension strength as a risk factor for concussion in male professional Rugby Union players

Poor isometric neck extension strength as a risk factor for concussion in male professional Rugby Union players

Cervical Spine Assessment Techniques and Neck Strength Profiles of Elite Rugby Union Players Using an Innovative Measurement Approach

Effect of a 6-week exercise intervention for improved neck muscle strength in amateur male rugby union players.

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