Objectives To investigate whether sport-related concussion (SRC) history (including recency and total numbers) is associated with maximal isometric neck strength in elite Australian rules football (ARF) and rugby league (ARL) athletes. Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting Elite ARF and ARL environments. Participants 451 elite players (283 males, 168 females) from ARF (n = 300) and ARL (n = 151). Main outcome measures Maximal isometric strength of neck flexors, extensors, lateral flexors (N) and flexors/extensors (F/E) ratio; self-reported SRC history (recent [<12 months], total number). Results Neck strength did not differ between athletes with (n = 269) and without (n = 182) a history of SRC: flexors (p = 0.80), extensors (p = 0.52), left lateral flexors (p = 0.24), right lateral flexors (p = 0.26), and the F/E ratio (p = 0.92). Athletes with a recent SRC (n = 97) had slightly higher neck extensor strength (p = 0.005), although the effect was small. No differences were observed in flexors (p = 0.577), left (p = 0.066) or right lateral flexors (p = 0.356), or F/E ratio (p = 0.204). Number of prior SRCs showed no association: flexors (p = 0.974), extensors (p = 0.406), left (p = 0.120), right lateral flexors (p = 0.258), F/E ratio (p = 0.876). Conclusions SRC history, irrespective of its recency or total number, was not associated with impairments in maximal isometric neck strength. Highlights • Sport-related concussion history was not associated with maximal isometric neck strength in elite male and female Australian rules football and rugby league athletes. • Recent SRC (<12 months) was associated with slightly higher neck extensor strength. • Male athletes show higher SRC incidence and greater neck strength than females. • Neck strength differences between ARL and ARF athletes are not practically significant.
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