{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T00:55:56Z","timestamp":1790902556634,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":36,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,9,24]],"date-time":"2021-09-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1632441600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2022,7]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Greater neck strength is associated with fewer head and neck injuries. Neck-strengthening programs are commonly burdensome, requiring specialist equipment or significant time commitment, which are barriers to implementation.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Hypothesis:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Completing a neck-strengthening program will increase isometric neck strength in age-group rugby players.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Study Design:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A pilot randomized controlled exercise intervention study.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Level of Evidence:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Level 2.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Twenty-eight U18 (under 18) male regional age-group rugby union players were randomized (intervention n =15\/control n = 13). An 8-week exercise program was supervised during preseason at the regional training center. Control players continued their \u201cnormal practice,\u201d which did not include neck-specific strengthening exercises. The 3-times weekly trainer-led intervention program involved a series of 15-second self-resisted contractions, where players pushed maximally against their own head, in forward, backward, left, and right directions.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Outcome Measure:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Peak isometric neck strength (force N) into neck flexion, extension, and left and right side flexion was measured using a handheld dynamometer.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Postintervention between-group mean differences (MDs) in isometric neck strength change were adjusted for baseline strength and favored the intervention for total neck strength (effect size [ES] = 1.2, MD \u00b1 95% CI = 155.9 \u00b1 101.9 N, P = 0.004) and for neck strength into extension (ES = 1.0, MD \u00b1 95% CI = 59.9 \u00b1 45.4 N, P = 0.01), left side flexion (ES = 0.7, MD \u00b1 95% CI = 27.5 \u00b1 26.9 N, P = 0.05), and right side flexion (ES = 1.3, MD \u00b1 95% CI = 50.5 \u00b1 34.4 N, P = 0.006).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This resource-efficient neck-strengthening program has few barriers to implementation and provides a clear benefit in U18 players\u2019 neck strength. While the present study focused on adolescent rugby players, the program may be appropriate across all sports where head and neck injuries are of concern and resources are limited.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Clinical Relevance:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Greater neck strength is associated with fewer head and neck injuries, including concussion. Performing this neck exercise program independently, or as part of a whole-body program like Activate, an interactive guide for players and coaches, could contribute to lower sports-related head and neck injuries.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1177\/19417381211044736","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,9,24]],"date-time":"2021-09-24T13:30:00Z","timestamp":1632490200000},"page":"500-507","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["Eight Weeks of Self-Resisted Neck Strength Training Improves Neck Strength in Age-Grade Rugby Union Players: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Matthew J.","family":"Attwood","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, 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