824 MEP127 – Neck strength and anthropometric characteristics of 131 professional rugby players classified by playing position and level

AbstractBackground Neck extension strength had been shown to be a predictor for concussion in professional rugby players. A reliable protocol for measuring neck strength had previously been devised to address the lack of a unified approach for measuring neck strength for the sport of rugby. Objectives To measure neck strength of professional English rugby players using a reliable protocol. To determine the differences in neck strength and anthropometric characteristics of rugby players between playing positions and levels.Design Experimental, observational.Setting and Participants English professional rugby players (Championship n=42, Premiership n=88, forwards n = 82, backs n = 49).Assessment of Risk Factors and Main Outcome Measures Neck maximum isometric voluntary contraction (flexion, extension, left/right side flexion) was measured on a single occasion, mid rugby season, in a quadruped test position using the VALD ForceFrame. Analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis between mass (kg), height (cm), neck girth (cm) and peak neck force (N) by player position, Premiership/Championship level, and neck test direction was reported.Results Neck strength test direction of extension demonstrated a significant difference when measured by playing level with Premiership forwards stronger by 11%, than Championship forwards F(2,79)=3.43, p=0.037. One key positional finding was for front row forwards where hookers demonstrated significantly lower neck extension strength than tighthead props (p=0.018). Discriminant function analysis (DFA) produced a model that predicted 71.5% (λ=3.78) of the variance in playing positions by body mass (Λ=0.083, df 21, p<0.001) and 89.4% (λ=1.17) of the variance between playing positions by neck extension force, (Λ=0.488, df 18, p<0.001). Neck girth was not a predictor of strength (p>0.05).Conclusions Neck extension force can be reliably measured in professional rugby players to indicate differences between playing positions and levels. Findings have the potential to lead to effective training and inform injury risk mitigation strategies.