The effect of tackling on shoulder joint positioning sense in semi-professional rugby players

Abstract

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.

Shoulder Injuries in English Community Rugby Union

“…Attention should be targeted to train the neuromuscular control that is required for the player to adopt the optimal tackling position [15]. This particularly involves the glenohumeral and scapulathoracic dynamic neuromuscular control that is required to achieve the ideal shoulder position for the tackle [22]. The integrity of the glenohumeral joint and its capsuloligamentous support is under maximum strain when the joint is under load at the end of its range of motion [18].…”

Lay of the land: narrative synthesis of tackle research in rugby union and rugby sevens

“…103 117 For example, Seminati et al reported a 13% higher impact force from the dominant shoulder. 132 Players seem to have poorer shoulder positional sense of their non-dominant shoulder while tackling 133 and adopt a more passive biomechanical strategy to generate the drive needed to stop a ball carrier. 132 As such, tackles on the dominant shoulder produce higher impact forces on contact, whereas the non-dominant shoulder produces force over longer durations.…”

Influence of Field Position on Rugby League Players Requiring Shoulder Reconstruction

“…Numerous position-specific factors affect the likelihood of such an injury. Players sustaining an initial anterior instability event were more likely to injure their non-dominant shoulder, and this may be related to impaired coordinated muscle activation and joint position sense [2,22]. Locks and full backs were also found to be at a greater risk of re-injury and wings to be at decreased risk of re-injury of their shoulders.…”

“…The authors were unable to clarify if decreased activation was evidence for efficient recruitment or if increased activation was evidence for greater concentration and control. Morgan and Herrington [22] found that the non-dominant shoulder had significantly impaired joint position sense at the mid and outer ranges of external rotation after a dynamic tackling task. As this is the position in which the shoulder is most at risk of instability and also a position commonly encountered in tackling improved neuromuscular control of the non-dominant shoulder could reduce the number of anterior dislocations requiring Bankart repairs.…”