Effects of neck strength training on isometric neck strength in rugby union players.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a neck strengthening program on the isometric neck strength profile of male rugby union players.

Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Setting: Professional rugby union club.

Normative adductor squeeze test values in elite junior rugby union players.

Objective: To establish normative adductor squeeze test (AST) values in elite junior rugby union players and investigate if differences existed between field position units and categorizations.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: National underage screening camp.

Star Excursion Balance Test performance and application in elite junior rugby union players.

Objectives: To evaluate performance on selected reach directions of the Start Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in an elite underage rugby union population, and determine if differences exist between the forward and back position units. This information may have implications for the application of this test in player injury prevention and management.

Design: Descriptive study.

Intrarater reliability of neck strength measurement of rugby union players using a handheld dynamometer.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the isometric neck strength profiles of rugby union players and to assess the intrarater reliability of isometric neck strength measurement using a handheld dynamometer.

Methods: Twenty-five male, academy-level, rugby union players (forwards [n = 16], backs [n = 9]) were tested on 2 occasions during a training week 2 days apart. Isometric strength of the neck musculature was tested using a handheld dynamometer, for flexion (F), extension (E), left side flexion (LSF), and right side flexion (RSF).

Anthropometric profile and body composition of Irish adolescent rugby union players aged 16-18.

The literature suggests that one of the key determinants of success at rugby union international competitions is the anthropometric profile of players. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) long-term player development (LTPD) model is a framework designed to guide the development of the tactical, physical, and psychological domains of sporting participation. In Ireland, the Train-to-Train stage of the IRFU model is a critical stage, whereby the next developmental progression would include the transition of players into professional academies.

Return to play in elite rugby union: application of global positioning system technology in return-to-running programs.

Unlabelled: Global positioning systems (GPS) are widely used in sport settings to evaluate the physical demands on players in training and competition. The use of these systems in the design and implementation of rehabilitation and return-to-running programs has not yet been elucidated.

Objective: To demonstrate the application of GPS technology in the management of return to play in elite-club Rugby Union.

A comparison of cutting technique performance in rugby union players.

Rugby union is a dynamic running game requiring players to regularly perform change of direction maneuvers to avoid player opposition. The change of direction/cutting task is characterized by rapid deceleration onto the plant leg (PL) then reacceleration by the push-off leg (POL) into the new direction. Identification of the kinematic characteristics of cutting tasks and their relationship to playing ability may offer practical guidelines for coaches and strength and conditioning staff to design effective agility drills and provide player feedback to improve technique.

Intrarater reliability of the adductor squeeze test in gaelic games athletes.

Context: Groin pain is commonly experienced by athletes involved in field-based sports and is particularly prevalent in Gaelic Games athletes. The adductor squeeze test is commonly used in the assessment of groin pain and injuries. To date, no evidence in the literature provides the reliability of the adductor squeeze test using a sphygmomanometer in assessing the adductor muscle integrity of Gaelic Games athletes.

Physical game demands in elite rugby union: a global positioning system analysis and possible implications for rehabilitation.

Study Design: Descriptive.

Objectives: To evaluate the physical demands of an international Rugby Union-level game using a global positioning system (GPS).

Background: Elite Rugby Union teams currently employ the latest technology to monitor and evaluate physical demands of training and games on their players.

The thigh adductor squeeze test: 45° of hip flexion as the optimal test position for eliciting adductor muscle activity and maximum pressure values.

The thigh adductor squeeze test is commonly used in the diagnosis of groin injuries. Currently no reports exist in the published literature which, detail the level of activation of the adductor musculature during the test as well as concomitant pressure values. Thus the aim of the present study was to investigate adductor muscle activity and concomitant pressure values during the performance of the thigh adductor squeeze test at 0°, 45°, and 90° of hip flexion.

A valid field test protocol of linear speed and agility in rugby union.

Field testing is a key component to measure player performance in all sports, which provides coaches and strength and conditioning staff information to evaluate player performance and measure desired training effects. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and construct validity of a rugby union field test protocol based on analysis of the components of the game. Participants were placed in an Academy (n = 17) or Club (n = 11) group determined by current playing level.