Work

Neck strength deficit is a risk factor for concussion in high school rugby union and rugby league players

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Primary prevention of concussions is a priority in contact sports, with growing interest in the role of neck strength in mitigating the risks of concussion. The aim of this study was to determine if neck function was associated with in-season concussions in adolescent rugby union and league athletes, and to establish clinical values to identify players with increased risk of sustaining a concussion. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Assessment of neck function included isometric strength, endurance and proprioception. In-season concussion injuries were recorded. Preliminary multivariate analysis-of-covariance models were conducted to investigate differences in neck function between players who did and did not sustain an in-season concussion. If significant, receiver operated characteristic curves were used to determine optimal cut-points for each variable to distinguish between concussion groups. Unadjusted odds ratios were estimated from the cross tabulation chi-squared test. Significance was set at p < 0.1. RESULTS: A total of 43 players (aged 15-18 years) were assessed during preseason. Eleven players sustained a concussion during the season. Players who sustained a concussion during the season had weaker neck extension strength in kilogrammes (p = 0.043, effect size = 0.74) and when normalised to body weight (p = 0.041, effect size = 0.74). The optimal cut-point for extension strength was 32.1 kg (sensitivity 0.64, specificity 0.75) and 3.71 N/kg (sensitivity 0.64, specificity 0.66). Players with a flexor to extensor strength ratio above 0.74 were 3-times more likely to sustain a concussion (p = 0.09). There were no differences for other neck function variables. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions targeting neck strength could reduce the risk of concussion.

Source: Journal of science and medicine in sport

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.11.016

Authors: Felix T. Leung, Daniel A. Brown, Emma Warner, Shakeel Shamim, Samuel Harris, Julie A. Hides

Institutions: Griffith University, Queensland Health, Gold Coast Hospital, Mater Health Services

Language: English

Topic: Traumatic Brain Injury Research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450