Cervical spine characteristics differ in competitive combat athletes compared with active control participants

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Brown, Daniel A
Leung, Felix T
Evans, Kerrie
Grant, Gary
Hides, Julie A
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2022
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Background: Injury to the head and neck are common in combat sport athletes. Impairments of the cervical spine have been found in some athletes who participate in sports with high forces and collisions. There is a lack of research on the effects of combat sports on the cervical spine. Objective: The primary study aim was to investigate differences in cervical spine characteristics between combat athletes and a similarly aged active control group. The secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between symptom-based outcome measures and characteristics of the cervical spine. Design: Cross-sectional. Method: 40 male adult combat sport athletes and 40 male adult control participants were recruited from 4 combat sport clubs and a university campus, Australia. Cervical spine assessments were conducted at a private physiotherapy clinic. The Neck Disability Index and the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale were used as symptom-based outcome measures. Results: Combat sport athletes had a reduced range of cervical motion, but greater isometric strength and endurance compared with a control group (p < 0.05). The Neck Disability Index and Post-Concussion Symptom Scale were negatively correlated with cervical spine range of motion and isometric strength, meaning that higher scores correlated with a reduction in function. Conclusions: Differences were observed in characteristics of the cervical spine in combat sport athletes compared with a control group. Higher symptom-based outcome scores correlated with reduced range of motion and strength of cervical spine muscles. Further investigation to establish clinical cut-off scores for functional impairment may be warranted.

Journal Title

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

61

Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Sports science and exercise

Human biophysics

Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Rehabilitation

Neck

Martial arts

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Brown, DA; Leung, FT; Evans, K; Grant, G; Hides, JA, Cervical spine characteristics differ in competitive combat athletes compared with active control participants, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 2022, 61, pp. 102614

Collections