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Effects of a 12-week neck muscles training on muscle function and perceived level of muscle soreness in amateur rugby players

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Abstract

Background

Neck injuries are the most frequent traumatism in rugby at all levels of the game. Strengthening and mobilizing the neck musculature has often been indicated as a possible strategy to reduce the perceived level of muscle soreness and number of neck injuries. Still, the efficacy of such intervention is under debate.

Purpose

This study assessed the efficacy of a 12-week training for neck muscle strength and mobility in reducing the level of perceived soreness in amateur rugby players.

Methods

The perceived soreness of the neck muscles was recorded before, immediately and 24 h after 12 rugby matches in amateur rugby players (NT, n = 12) and controls (Ctrl, n = 11). The neck range of motion (ROM), the maximum voluntary force (MVC), and surface electromyogram (EMG) of the neck muscles were evaluated before and after 12-week neck muscle training (3 sessions per week, 35 min each). Training consisted of isometric and concentric contractions, and passive stretching of the neck muscles. From EMG, the root mean square (RMS) was calculated.

Results

After 4 weeks, the perceived soreness of neck muscles was lower in NT than in Ctrl (P < 0.05), and decreased further during the next 8 weeks (P < 0.05). After training, MVC, EMG RMS and ROM increased in NT but not in Ctrl (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The introduction of a specific training program focusing on neck muscle strength and mobility improved the perceived soreness and muscle function of neck muscles in amateur rugby players. Its inclusion within the normal training routine of amateur rugby players should, therefore, be strongly recommended.

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Abbreviations

NT:

Neck muscle training

Ctrl:

Controls

MVC:

Maximum voluntary contraction

EMG:

Electromyogram

UT:

Upper trapezius

SCM:

Sternocleidomastoideus

ROM:

Range of motion

RMS:

Root mean square

VAS:

Visual analogue scale

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the participants involved in the study, for their patience and committed involvement. A special thanks goes to Ms Emily McCoy for critically revising the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy

    F. Maconi, M. Venturelli, E. Limonta, S. Rampichini, A. V. Bisconti, E. Monti, S. Longo, F. Esposito & E. Cè

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  1. F. Maconi
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  2. M. Venturelli
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  3. E. Limonta
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  4. S. Rampichini
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  5. A. V. Bisconti
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  6. E. Monti
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  7. S. Longo
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  8. F. Esposito
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  9. E. Cè
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Correspondence to E. Cè.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical Standards of the institutional or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or compatible ethical Standards. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in this study.

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Maconi, F., Venturelli, M., Limonta, E. et al. Effects of a 12-week neck muscles training on muscle function and perceived level of muscle soreness in amateur rugby players. Sport Sci Health 12, 443–452 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-016-0314-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-016-0314-9

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