Reduced Cervical range of motion (ROM) may have serious impact on ADL’s, possibly resulting in movement problems, creating local and/or referred pain , muscle spasm, dizziness, nausea and vomiting [1].

Two elite level sports, Cardiff DevilsIce hockey and American football, (Figure 5) were selected for testing of their(ACROM) using a cervical range of motion device (CROM device) (Figure 6).

SubjectsIce hockey players n=12 (age 25.8±4.5 years; time playing at elite level 17.7±6.9 years)

American football players n=15 (age 22±1.9 years; time playing at elite level 5 ± 8yrs).

1. Treleaven J, Jull G, Sterling M. Dizziness And Unsteadiness Following Whiplash Injury: Characteristic Features And Relationship With Cervical Joint Position Error. Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine 2003,35:36-43

2. Hootman J M, Dick R, Agel J.. (2007). Epidemiology of Collegiate Injuries for 15 Sports: Summary and Recommendations for Injury Prevention Initiatives. Journal of Athletic Training. 42 (2), 311-319.

3. LaPrade RF, Burnett QM, Zarzour R, Moss, R. The Effect of the Mandatory Use of Face Masks on Facial Lacerations and Head and Neck Injuries in Ice Hockey. American Journal of Sports Medicine 1995, 23: 772-775.

4. Lark SD, McCarthy PW. Cervical range of motion and proprioception in rugby players versus non-rugby players. Journal of Sport Sciences 2007, 25: 887 – 89.

5. Youdas JW, Garrett TR, Suman VJ, Bogard CL, Hallman HO, Carey JR. Normal Range of Motion of the Cervical Spine: An Initial Goniometric Study. Physical Therapy 1992, 72:770-780.

Ceri Ann Jones,Bianca B

Zietsman, Andrew Heusch

Peter W McCarthyCT-DRU,

WIoC,USW,

Treforest, Pontypridd,

CF37 1DL

Funding Source:

First PersonSecond

Contributor

Acknowledgements:

•This study suggests that the wearing of protective equipment might mitigate against the reduction in active cervical range of motion (ACROM), in extension and flexion, which would otherwise be expected in such physical contact sports cf. Rugby union.

•Whether this finding is due to the presence of protective equipment or other factors such as the unique types of play, contact or training is yet to be determined.

•Recognition of the mechanisms which can lead to a reduction in a players’ ACROM may help guide healthcare professionals to address the changes with appropriate rule adaptations, treatment and rehabilitation in those contact sports where protective equipment is either inadequate or not worn.

Table 1 Flex(degrees)

Ext(degrees)

Tot(degrees)

Flex:ext

Control [5] 54 ± 9 77 ± 3 131 ±21 0.7 ± 0.1

American Footballn = 15

55 ± 8 66 ± 7 121 ±15 0.8 ± 0.2

Ice Hockeyn = 12

52 ±13 68 ±15 119 ±21 0.8 ± 0.3

Rugby Forwardsn = 26

*46 ± 3 *43 ± 9 *89 ± 12 *1.1± 0.1

Table 1: this table details the ACROM results gathered from the three sports shown against control data. All measurements reported as degrees and displayed as mean ± 1 Standard deviation. (* indicates significant decrease from control values p <0.01)

 

Sport and risk of injury go hand in hand, increasing in proportion to the amount of high impact contact [2]. Some sports mitigating risk of serious injury having mandatory use of protective equipment (Figure 1)

Previous research showing participation in Rugby Union, (Figure 4) without any use of safety equipment, can significantly affect a players’ active cervical ROM (ACROM) [4] in relation to time in the sport, a single season and even over a single game.

Anecdotal evidence [3] suggests rather than reducing injuries, athletes perceive themselves to be better protected and more likely to put themselves in injurious situations (Figure 3).

Figure 1 - Protective Equipment(A) American football protective equipment , (B) lateral view of an American Football player, (C) Ice hockey body armour , (D) Ice hockey helmet .

For further information contacthttp://ctdru.research.southwales.ac.uk/Email: ceri.jones9@southwales.ac.uk

Anthropometric data was recorded prior to cervical spine warm up exercises being performed, consisting of three movement repetitions through all ranges of ACROM without, then with the subject wearing the CROM device. Finally data for all ACROM was then recorded using a previously described methodology [5] (Figure 7).

Figure 6 -CROM device in position

Group means were compared for flexion/extension. All measurements taken were compared against data for age-matched controls [5] and a sample of Rugby Union forwards [4]. Data analysis was performed using SPSS: ANOVA with post hoc tukey and student t-test analysis.

Figure 7 - Assessment ProcedureMeasurements were taken in (G) Neutral, (H) Full Extension and (I) Full Flexion

Figure 4 – Tackles in SportRugby union tackle

Figure 3 – Tackles in Sport(E) Ice hockey (F) American football

Figure 5 -Cardiff Devilslogo

Although there was a significant difference in flexion between Rugby forwards and American footballers (p<0.01), there was no such difference between the Rugby forwards and ice hockey players.