| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2709814 | Physical Therapy in Sport | 2016 | 7 Pages |
•Cervical and shoulder strength, and cervical range of motion were measured.•All international level front-row players within a National Rugby Union participated.•Age-grade players had less cervical flexor strength than Senior internationals.•Greater between age-group deficits were found in cervical than shoulder strength.•Cervical strength assessment can guide injury evaluation and player preparation.
ObjectivesTo provide normative values for cervical range of motion (CROM), isometric cervical and shoulder strength for; International Senior professional, and International Age-grade Rugby Union front-row forwards.DesignCross-sectional population study.SettingAll international level front-row players within a Rugby Union Tier 1 Nation.ParticipantsNineteen Senior and 21 Age-grade front-row forwards underwent CROM, cervical and shoulder strength testing.Main outcome measuresCROM was measured using the CROM device and the Gatherer System was used to measure multi-directional isometric cervical and shoulder strength.ResultsThe Age-grade players had significantly lower; cervical strength (26–57% deficits), cervical flexion to extension strength ratios (0.5 vs. 0.6), and shoulder strength (2–36% deficits) than the Senior players. However, there were no differences between front-row positions within each age group. Additionally, there were no differences between age groups or front-row positions in the CROM measurements.ConclusionsSenior Rugby Union front-row forwards have greater cervical and shoulder strength than Age-grade players, with the biggest differences being in cervical strength, highlighting the need for age specific normative values. Importantly, Age-grade players should be evaluated to ensure they have developed sufficient cervical strength prior to entering professional level Rugby Union.
