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Can a Specific Neck Strengthening Program Decrease Cervical Spine Injuries in a Men's Professional Rugby Union Team?

Robert Naish1, Angus Burnett, Sally Burrows

  • 1Western Force Rugby Union Club , Western Australia, Australia.

Journal of Sports Science & Medicine
|October 24, 2013
PubMed
Summary

A 26-week isometric neck strengthening program significantly reduced rugby union match injuries. However, overall injury rates and neck strength did not significantly improve in this elite professional squad.

Keywords:
Rugby Unioncervical spineinjuryisometricneck strength

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Orthopedics
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Cervical spine injuries are a significant concern in Rugby Union.
  • Neck strengthening is proposed as a preventative strategy, but evidence is limited.
  • This study investigates the effectiveness of a specific neck strengthening program in elite rugby players.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if a 26-week isometric neck strengthening program reduces cervical spine injuries in professional rugby players.
  • To assess the impact of the program on injury severity (days lost).
  • To evaluate changes in isometric neck strength after the intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 27 professional rugby union players over two seasons.
  • A 26-week intervention including a 13-week strengthening and 13-week maintenance phase.
  • Data collected on cervical spine injuries, time lost, and isometric neck strength.

Main Results:

  • A significant reduction in the number of match-related cervical spine injuries (11 to 2).
  • No significant difference in the total number of cervical spine injuries or overall time lost due to injuries.
  • No significant increases in isometric neck strength were observed in any direction.

Conclusions:

  • Isometric neck strengthening may reduce match-related cervical spine injuries in elite rugby union.
  • Significant increases in neck strength are difficult to achieve in a short period in well-trained athletes.
  • Further research is needed to optimize neck strengthening programs for injury prevention in rugby.