Neck strength assessment offers no clinical value in predicting concussion in male professional rugby players: a prospective cohort study

DATA SHARING : Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in this article, after deidentification may be available upon request by contacting Mairead Liston at [email protected]. The data may be made available, as well as the study protocol, informed consent form, appendices and statistical analysis plan, to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal, in order to achieve the aims approved in the proposal, for up to 3 years after publicationOBJECTIVE: To determine if neck muscle strength and endurance are associated with concussion injuries in professional, male rugby players. Playing position, history of previous concussion, and age were also considered. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study METHODS: One hundred thirty-six male, professional rugby players completed neck strength testing that comprised a peak isometric test, an endurance test, and a concussion screening questionnaire. Electronic medical records were analyzed for head injury data. RESULTS: Out of 136 players (mean age, 25.3 ± 3.4 years; height, 186 ± 7 cm; weight, 103 ± 13.2 kg), 40 players suffered from 51 concussions in the 2017/18 playing season. A history of concussion was reported by 65% of the cohort. Multiple logistic regression analysis found that peak isometric flexion strength was not associated with concussion risk. Increased peak isometric extension strength was associated with significantly greater odds of sustaining a concussion (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.01, does not include 1; P = .04) that is likely too small to be clinically relevant. Players with a self-reported history of concussion had over 2 times greater odds of sustaining a concussion (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 0.73, 6.22). More than 2 concussions in the past 12 months was associated with almost tenfold greater odds of concussion (OR = 9.51; 95% CI: 1.66, 54.55). Age, playing position, and neck muscle endurance were not associated with concussion. CONCLUSION: The strongest predictor of concussion injury was previous concussion. Players who sustained concussions in season had similar neck muscle strength to players who had not sustained a concussion.https://www.jospt.orghj2024Sports MedicineSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

A 90 minute soccer match induces eccentric hamstring muscles fatigue

Background/Purpose of the study. Hamstring injuries are the most prevalent muscle injuries in both amateur and professional soccer (football) players. Eccentric strength deficits and muscle strength imbalances have been associated with an increased risk of muscle injuries. The current study is a non-randomised observational study investigating whether fatigue significantly reduces peak eccentric strength of the hamstring muscle group. Methods. Twenty-two right leg dominant professional football players participated in this study. None were injured or were rehabilitating from an injury at the time of testing. The eccentric strength of the hamstring muscles was determined using the Nordic exercise on a Norbord device prior to a 90 minute soccer match and after its end. Results. There was a significant decrease in eccentric strength at the end of the match (before the match: M = 306.91, SD = 59.26; after the match: Mean = 277.77 ± SD = 60.35 p =.000, Cohen’s d =.50). The imbalance in eccentric hamstring muscle strength between dominant and non-dominant limb before the match remained unchanged after its end. Conclusions. A professional football match significantly impacts on the ability of players to produce high speed eccentric strength in the hamstring muscle groups. Resistance to fatigue and eccentric strength, particularly at high speeds, are considerable factors in conditioning of professional soccer players. Eccentric muscle strength fatigue of the hamstring muscle group after a 90 min soccer match may provide a possible explanation for the greater risk of hamstring injuries under fatigue conditions. © 2021, CIC Edizioni Internazionali s.r.l.. All rights reserved

Eccentric hamstring strength in young athletes is best documented when normalised to body mass: a cross-sectional study with normative data of 590 athletes from different age categories

Despite its widespread use in adults, the Nordic hamstring exercise remains underexplored in athletic youth populations. Further, given the dynamic nature of growth and maturation, comparisons with elite adult populations may be inaccurate. Here we describe absolute and body mass-normalised eccentric hamstring normative values for football, athletics and multi-sport youth populations. 676 routine standardised tests were conducted, including 244 U12–U18 student-athletes (football, athletics, multi-sport) and 346 Qatar Stars League (QSL) football players using the NordBord. The average maximum values for the left and right leg from 3 repetitions were recorded. Significant increases in absolute strength were seen across chronological (e.g., 150 N±15 for U12 to 330 N±40 for U18) and skeletal (142.9 N±13.9 for skeletal age of 12 compared to 336.2 N±71.2 for skeletal age of 18) age groups. The differences in values normalised to body mass were smaller at 3.6 N/kg±0.25 for the U-13 group, but similar for the U14 to U18 groups (4.5 N/kg±0.16, 4.6 N/kg±0.11, 4.6 N/kg±0.27, 4.7 N/kg±0.14, 4.5 N/kg±0.18). Students displayed lower absolute strength than the professional football players (272.1 N compared to 297.3 N, p < 0.0001) but higher relative strength (4.7 N/kg compared to 4.2 N/kg, p < 0.0001). Comparing Nordic hamstring strength values between athletes, and between skeletal and chronological age groups can be done when values are normalised to the athlete’s body mass. For the U14s and onwards age categories, body mass normalised values are comparable to professional football players

Eccentric hamstring strength in young athletes is best documented when normalised to body mass: A cross-sectional study with normative data of 590 athletes from different age categories

Despite its widespread use in adults, the Nordic hamstring exercise remains underexplored in athletic youth populations. Further, given the dynamic nature of growth and maturation, comparisons with elite adult populations may be inaccurate. Here we describe absolute and body mass-normalised eccentric hamstring normative values for football, athletics and multi-sport youth populations. 676 routine standardised tests were conducted, including 244 U12–U18 student-athletes (football, athletics, multi-sport) and 346 Qatar Stars League (QSL) football players using the NordBord. The average maximum values for the left and right leg from 3 repetitions were recorded. Significant increases in absolute strength were seen across chronological (e.g., 150 N ± 15 for U12 to 330 N ± 40 for U18) and skeletal (142.9 N ± 13.9 for skeletal age of 12 compared to 336.2 N ± 71.2 for skeletal age of 18) age groups. The differences in values normalised to body mass were smaller at 3.6 N/kg ± 0.25 for the U-13 group, but similar for the U14 to U18 groups (4.5 N/kg ± 0.16, 4.6 N/kg ± 0.11, 4.6 N/kg ± 0.27, 4.7 N/kg ± 0.14, 4.5 N/kg ± 0.18). Students displayed lower absolute strength than the professional football players (272.1 N compared to 297.3 N, p < 0.0001) but higher relative strength (4.7 N/kg compared to 4.2 N/kg, p < 0.0001). Comparing Nordic hamstring strength values between athletes, and between skeletal and chronological age groups can be done when values are normalised to the athlete’s body mass. For the U14s and onwards age categories, body mass normalised values are comparable to professional football players.http://www.termedia.pl/Journal/Biology_of_Sport-78am2024Sports MedicineSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

ECG findings in professional rugby players using international screening recommendations.

BackgroundWhile World Rugby guidelines do not mandate the inclusion of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for all players, this is required for entry into international rugby competitions. We, therefore, sought to describe sport-specific normative ECG values and evaluate the performance of contemporary athlete ECG guidelines in male and female professional rugby players.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed professional rugby players' ECGs (n=356, male 79%) obtained during preparticipation screening (2010-2022), comparing by sex and playing position (forwards vs backs). ECGs were categorised as normal 'training-related', borderline and abnormal findings, as defined by the 2017 International Recommendations.Results84% of players had one or more normal, 'training-related' findings, with males having a higher prevalence than females (91% vs 60%, pConclusionsThe application of contemporary ECG interpretation criteria resulted in a low positivity rate isolated to male players. These results help inform the logistic feasibility of ECG-inclusive screening, which is already required to enter major tournaments

A global survey exploring tackle training knowledge, attitudes and practices of women's rugby union coaches

The coaching and performance context in women’s rugby is not well understood, despite growing popularity worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes and tackle training practices of women’s rugbycoaches in relation to tackle safety and performance. A globally distributed online survey exploring coaches’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards tackling women’s rugby was completed by 357 coaches (mean age 41 ± 0.6years) from 58 countries. The cross-sectional survey was distributed from March 2023 to June 2023. Survey development was guided by the Health Action Process Approach and informed by coaching experts, research evidence synthesis, and guidelines for international tackle safety programmes. Coaches believed that the risk of tackle injury inwomen’s rugby is high and that proper tackle technique for safety is very important. More than 75% of coacheshad never completed a tackle-specific training course, with only 39% aware of the availability of such courses. Timespent on controlled-contact and full-contact activities varied from 0 to 40+ min per week, averaging 10–20 min forboth types of training. Barriers to the effectiveness of tackle training related to sociocultural factors, coach knowledgegaps, training environments, and player training considerations. Coach education, improved infrastructures, and physical development were ranked the highest priorities for improving tackle safety and performance. These findings informfuture implementation strategies for tackle safety and performance in the context of women’s rugby, highlighting theneed to involve coaches in providing practical solutions, and the role of education and institutional/organisational support in facilitating such improvements

Incidence, prevalence and risk factors for low back pain in adolescent athletes : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Please read abstract in the article.http://bjsm.bmj.comhj2023Sports Medicin

Are we tackle ready? Cross-sectional video analysis of match tackle characteristics in elite women's Rugby Union

The tackle contest is the most common and most injurious match contact event in rugby and is an indicator of performance. Tackle Ready is World Rugby's tackle technique education program. Limited research has characterized the tackle contest in women's rugby. The purpose of this study is to: (1) identify the match situational characteristics, ball-carrier and tackler technical actions demonstrated in elite women's Rugby Union and (2) to determine the extent to which Tackle Ready recommended tackle techniques were exhibited. Technical characteristics for 1500 tackle events in the 2022–2023 Women's Six Nations Championship were visually assessed according to a predefined coding framework and the Tackle Ready program. Tackles lacked full completion (0.2%) of the 22 coded Tackle Ready techniques with 47% of the recommended techniques demonstrated in each tackle on average (range 15%–98%). A high proportion of tackles involved two defenders (48%), approaching ball-carriers from the side (38%) or oblique angles (39%), in an upright position (30%), and with initial contact made with the arm (51%). Incorrect pre-contact head positioning and head placement upon contact accounted for 50% and 15% of tackles, respectively, and there was a mean of 14 (95% CI 11–18) head and neck contacts to a tackler and 18 (95% CI 14–22) head and neck contacts to a ball-carrier per game. Targeted interventions to encourage adoption of recommended techniques are needed to reduce tackle-related injury risk in women's rugby. This study provides valuable context for future discussion across law enforcement, coach education and gender-specific tackle coaching in the women's game.Irish Research Council. Open access funding provided by IReL.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15367290hj2024Sports MedicineSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Implementing hamstring injury prevention programmes remotely : a randomised proof of concept trial

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) compare the effectiveness of a Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) versus single-leg Romanian deadlift (SLRDL) exercise programme on a hamstring injury risk surrogate; (2) compare the muscle soreness experienced by both exercise programmes; and (3) assess compliance to remote injury prevention exercise protocols through video software. METHODS: Twenty participants (10 women and 10 men: 21.45±1.6 years; 176±23 cm; 70±10 kg) were randomised into an NHE or SLRDL programme for 6weeks. Single-leg hamstring bridge (SLHB), a hamstring injury surrogate, was the primary outcome for exercise efficacy. Muscle soreness and exercise adherence were also assessed. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Both exercises increased SLHB performance resulting in an overall effect (p=0.013) with no effect for group (p=0.470) and no interaction effect (p=0.709), indicating both groups improved but there was no difference in improvement between interventions. There was no difference in muscle soreness between groups (p=0.087). Finally, both groups had 100% adherence to the programme. CONCLUSIONS: Both the NHE and SLRDL are equally effective in increasing SLHB performance and demonstrate a similar level of muscle soreness. This suggests that SLRDL may be a viable option as a preventative exercise to mitigate the risk of hamstring injury. Finally, implementing injury prevention programmes remotely has the potential to enhance adherence.https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/Sports MedicineSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein