Abstract
In rugby union football the tackle is the most frequently executed skill and one most
associated with injury, including shoulder injury to the tackler. Despite the importance
of the tackle, little is known about the magnitude of shoulder forces in the tackle
and influencing factors. The objectives of the study were to measure the shoulder
force in the tackle, as well as the effects of shoulder padding, skill level, side
of body, player size, and experimental setting on shoulder force. Experiments were
conducted in laboratory and field settings using a repeated measures design. Thirty-five
participants were recruited to the laboratory and 98 to the field setting. All were
male aged over 18 years with rugby experience. The maximum force applied to the shoulder
in an active shoulder tackle was measured with a custom built forceplate incorporated
into a 45 kg tackle bag. The overall average maximum shoulder force was 1660 N in the laboratory and 1997 N in the field. This difference was significant. The shoulder force for tackling without
shoulder pads was 1684 N compared to 1635 N with shoulder pads. There was no difference between the shoulder forces on the dominant
and non-dominant sides. Shoulder force reduced with tackle repetition. No relationship
was observed between player skill level and size. A substantial force can be applied
to the shoulder and to an opponent in the tackle. This force is within the shoulder's
injury tolerance range and is unaffected by shoulder pads.
Highlights
- The study is the first to measure comprehensively the shoulder force in a rugby tackle and influencing factors.
- When measured in a laboratory setting, the mean shoulder force was 1660N compared to 1997N in a field setting.
- Shoulder force was unaffected by shoulder pads and body side in this study.
- Shoulder force reduced with tackle repetition.
- Shoulder force magnitude was not associated with player position, skill level and player size.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 20, 2011
Accepted:
May 19,
2011
Received in revised form:
April 29,
2011
Received:
December 3,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
