Impact of Lower-extremity Strength on Shoulder Tackle of Female Rugby Players Measured with Sensor System

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of lower-extremity strength on the shoulder tackle ability of Chinese elite female rugby players. The impact strength of a tackle and the lower-extremity strength were measured by force sensors and an isokinetic strength tester. The results provide a theoretical reference for the specialized strength training of shoulder tackle techniques, relevant technical learning, and sports injury prevention, as well as for improving the defensive ability of shoulder tackles. The lower-extremity isokinetic strengths of the hip, knee, and ankle and the shoulder tackle impact force of 18 Chinese elite female rugby players were measured at fixed angular velocities of 60 and 180°/s by an IsoMed 2000 strength testing instrument and an impact force tester. SPSS 25 software was used to test for a normal distribution by single-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) and independent-sample t-tests and the Pearson correlation test. The following findings were obtained. (1) The bilateral lowerextremity hip, knee, and ankle flexors and extensors had an extremely significant difference (P < 0.01) at fixed angular velocities of 60 and 180°/s, and the test results of the extensors were greater than those of the flexors. (2) The right knee and left ankle extensors of the lowerextremity isokinetic strength were related to the shoulder tackle impact force. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that (1) the lower-extremity isokinetic strengths of the front knee and back ankle in dominant-side tackles should be used as indexes to evaluate shoulder tackle ability, and (2) the balanced development of lower-extremity strength can help athletes enhance the defensive capacity of shoulder tackles, promote technical learning, improve the stability of actions, and prevent sports injuries.* Significantly correlated at a 95% confidence interval (two-tailed test).

Physical and Technical Demands and Preparatory Strategies in Female Field Collision Sports: A Scoping Review

“…Findings show tackling is a highly technical and physical skill 23 45 51 essential for optimal performance in female field collision sports. From a contact perspective research has focused on female match-play including tackle injury incidence 7 , collision demands 22 and associations of tackle success with team performance 61 .…”

“…Following video instruction, experienced female players demonstrate superior tackle technique by altering the angle of knee flexion (64.2 ± 23.9 ° to 142.0 ± 3.3 [45]. Contralateral knee and ankle extensor isokinetic strength was found to be related to shoulder tackle impact force in elite female Rugby Union players [51].…”

“…No relevant studies were found for technical skill in women's Rugby League. Nine studies reported on male and female cohorts [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] and 9 reported on female only cohorts [23,31,[51][52][53][54][55][56][57].…”

The Measurement Method of the Impact Force of Shoulder Tackle and the Influence of the Lower-Extremity Strength on the Impact Force of Shoulder Tackle in Rugby Players

“…According to the analysis of statistical data, the correlation between the relative PT of the right knee extensors and the low/middle position of front ST had a significant Mobile Information Systems correlation in the 99% confidence interval; PT and high position of front ST, high position of reverse ST, and middle position of reverse ST were significant in the 95% confidence interval [17], as shown in Table 7.…”