Neck Strengthening in Rugby

[Feicarsinn]

Hi guys,

does anyone know if any rugby academies are actively engaging in neck strength and conditioning of their players, particularly those in the academy? With the increasing size of the modern rugby player as well as improved tackle technique, collisions have become more common and of a higher magnitude, meaning the risk of concussion has sharply increased since the dawn of professionalism. It has been shown in other sports that increased strength and conditioning of the neck and associated muscle groups can reduce the risk of concussion (http://articles.elitefts.com/traini...ames-training-the-neck-to-reduce-concussions/) so my question is, with the strides that rugby has made in other areas of conditioning, is this being neglected? It's not only an issue of player welfare, but also affects the ability of clubs and international sides to consistently field their strongest players.

 

[TRF_heineken]

High guys,

does anyone know if any rugby academies are actively engaging in neck strength and conditioning of their players, particularly those in the academy? With the increasing size of the modern rugby player as well as improved tackle technique, collisions have become more common and of a higher magnitude, meaning the risk of concussion has sharply increased since the dawn of professionalism. It has been shown in other sports that increased strength and conditioning of the neck and associated muscle groups can reduce the risk of concussion (http://articles.elitefts.com/traini...ames-training-the-neck-to-reduce-concussions/) so my question is, with the strides that rugby has made in other areas of conditioning, is this being neglected? It's not only an issue of player welfare, but also affects the ability of clubs and international sides to consistently field their strongest players.

Good question.

I know that the front rowers strengthen their necks with excercises. When I was in High School and we did weight training at the gym, us front rowers would run to get to leg extension machine. using just one bar of weights we would crouch in front of the maching and go into a scrum-like position into the machine. Then we'd do lifts with our head and neck to lift the rolling pad of the machine where your legs would have gone underneath if you were doing leg extensions.

It worked very well, that along with shoulder shrugs assists a lot in strengthening the neck area.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Front rowers have done direct work for a long time, doubt you'll find many backs doing anything close to what they do, however.

Although the sort of strength work all players do will indirectly strengthen the neck quite considerably.

 

[KJBSportTherapy]

Neck Training underused

Hello in response to your questioning, I am currently researching into the use of neck strengthening across the rugby playing continuum and exploring the reasoning to why players either do or do not and I would say that there is a large amount of neck S&C that goes on in the upper tiers of performance however the majority of teams that are level 5 and below may not due to them not having the infrastructure of support for them to do this.

Once the research has been concluded and summarised I will upload a copy if you are interested.

Cheers

Keith

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Hello in response to your questioning, I am currently researching into the use of neck strengthening across the rugby playing continuum and exploring the reasoning to why players either do or do not and I would say that there is a large amount of neck S&C that goes on in the upper tiers of performance however the majority of teams that are level 5 and below may not due to them not having the infrastructure of support for them to do this.

Once the research has been concluded and summarised I will upload a copy if you are interested.

Cheers

Keith

I'd find that quite useful now. I've noticed that one side of my neck is smaller and weaker (following a shoulder injury) but I've no idea how to get it back up to the other sides strength/ mass.

 

[Which Tyler]

I'd find that quite useful now. I've noticed that one side of my neck is smaller and weaker (following a shoulder injury) but I've no idea how to get it back up to the other sides strength/ mass.

It's relatively easy, but best done with the right kit - which is likely too specialist for most gyms. The easy answer would be to see a physio.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Front rowers have necks?