The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the fascia alignment in kinetic muscle chains and to determine the relationship between these results and selected biomotor abilities in rugby players. It is suggested that restrictions in the fascia along the kinetic chains inhibit muscle function and therefore influence movement patterns, such as those required by skilled rugby players. The isometric Bunkie-test was used to assess fascia alignment in ten kinetic chains related to movement patterns. Standard functional tests were used to assess agility, speed, speed endurance, lower body explosive power and upper body muscle endurance. The relationship between fascia alignment and injury occurrence was also determined. The subjects (n = 121) were all elite-level rugby players from three rugby academies. They participated voluntarily in a once-off assessment, consisting of the Bunkie-test, an Illinois agility test, a 10m sprint test, a 40m sprint test, a repeated sprint test, a vertical jump test and a maximum pull-ups test. Subjects also completed an injury questionnaire regarding all previous and current injuries. No intervention was applied and the statistical analysis was based on this assessment. Numerous significant relationships (p < 0.05) were found between the results of the Bunkietest and results of the performance tests. Players performing better on the Bunkie-test demonstrated better biomotor abilities. Very few significant findings (p < 0.05) were found when comparing the results of the Bunkie-test to injury occurrence. The conclusion was made that restrictions in the fascia of kinetic chains, as determined by the Bunkie-test, could influence a rugby player`s ability to perform biomotor movements optimally. Whether restrictions in the fascia resulted in an increased injury occurrence could not be shown. The Bunkie-test might be a tool for coaches and rehabilitation therapists to identify weaknesses and imbalances in the kinetic chains of athletes. Addressing these problems could then lead to improvements in sport performance. CHAPTER ONE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY INTRODUCTIION AIM OF THE STUDY RESEARCH QUESTIONS OUTLINE OF THESIS TERMINOLOGY CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF LITERATURE THE STRUCTURE OF FASCIA FASCIA PROPERTIES AND THE SIGNIFICANCE THEREOF A three-dimensional network Myofascia - the muscle and fascia connection Tensegrity Fascia adaptability and force transmission Myofascial trigger points Other fascia properties FACTORS PLAYING A ROLE IN OPTIMAL MUSCLE FUNCTIONING MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES Classifying injuries Extrinsic and intrinsic causes of injuries Overuse injuries MYOFASCIA AND THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM IN THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO AN INJURY CHANGES IN THE MYOFASCIA AFTER INJURY THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONING AS KINETIC CHAINS OR FUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS ANATOMY TRAINS - MYOFASCIAL KINETIC CHAINS Superficial back line Superficial front line Deep front line Lateral line Superficial back arm line OTHER FUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS Core integration pathways Aaberg`s subsystems RELATIONSHIP OF THE LINES TO BIOMOTOR ABILITIES AND INJURIES POSSIBLE METHODS TO ASSESS FASCIA ALIGNMENT AND FASCIA RESTRICTIONS RUGBY INJURIES IN RUGBY FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE TESTS IN RUGBY Agility Speed Speed endurance Explosive power Upper body muscle endurance CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY STUDY DESIGN SUBJECTS INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA INFORMED CONSENT QUESTIONNAIRES PROCEDURES TEST ADMINISTRATORS TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS Illinois agility test 10m and 40m sprint tests Repeated sprint test Vertical jump test Maximum pull-ups test The Bunkie-test 1. Posterior power line 2. Anterior power line 3. Posterior stabilizing line 4. Lateral stabilizing line 5. Medial stabilizing line STATISTICAL ANALYSIS CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS SUBJECTS THE BUNKIE-TEST PERFORMANCE TESTS FOR BIOMOTOR ABILITIES INJURIES RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFORMANCES ON THE BUNKIE-TEST AND BIOMOTOR ABILITIES Posterior power lines Anterior power lines Posterior stabilizing lines Lateral stabilizing lines Medial stabilizing lines Front row versus backline players RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFORMANCES ON THE BUNKIE-TEST AND INJURY OCCURRENCE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIOMOTOR ABILITIES AND INJURY OCCURRENCE CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION INTRODUCTION RESEARCH QUESTIONS IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FASCIA RESTRICTIONS, AS ASSESSED BY THE BUNKIE-TEST, AND SELECTED BIOMOTOR ABILITIES IN RUGBY PLAYERS?. IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FASCIA RESTRICTIONS, AS ASSESSED BY THE BUNKIE-TEST, AND INJURY OCCURRENCE IN RUGBY PLAYERS? IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FASCIA RESTRICTIONS, AS ASSESSED BY THE BUNKIE-TEST, AND THE SITE(S) OF INJURY IN RUGBY PLAYERS? THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIOMOTOR ABILITIES AND INJURY OCCURENCE CONCLUSIONS STUDY LIMITATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE STUDIES REFERENCES APPENDIX A APPENDIX B APPENDIX C APPENDIX D
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