title: Cervical range of motion, cervical and shoulder strength in senior versus age-grade Rugby Union International front-row forwards.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional population study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All international level front-row players within a Rugby Union Tier 1 Nation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen Senior and 21 Age-grade front-row forwards underwent CROM, cervical and shoulder strength testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  CROM was measured using the CROM device and the Gatherer System was used to measure multi-directional isometric cervical and shoulder strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Senior 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.
authors.affiliation: Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Sports Injury Research Group, Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.
authors.forename: Isabel S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.affiliation: Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Prabhat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mathema
authors.affiliation: Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff, UK; Sports Injury Research Group, Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. Electronic address: cranson@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ranson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Neck injury; Normative strength; Rugby; Upper limb