Tackle technique and body position of the tackler and ball carrier significantly influences head injury risk in rugby union

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. A70.2-A70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Tucker ◽  
Ben Hester ◽  
Matthew Cross ◽  
Simon Kemp ◽  
Martin Raftery
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Rugby Union

scholarly journals A Case–Control Study of Tackle-Based Concussion Risk Factors in The National Rugby League

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J Gardner ◽  
Grant Iverson ◽  
Suzi Edwards ◽  
Ross Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Game Activity ◽  
Impact Risk ◽  
Injury Assessment ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Recent Evaluation

Abstract Background The tackle is the in-game activity carrying the greatest risk for concussion in Rugby. A recent evaluation of tackle characteristics in Rugby Union precipitated a rule modification to reduce head impact risk during tackles. This study aims to replicate the work conducted in Rugby Union by examining the association between tackle characteristics and head injury events in professional Rugby League. Methods We reviewed and coded 446 tackles resulting in a head injury assessment (HIA) and 5,694 tackles that did not result in a head injury from two National Rugby League (NRL) seasons. Tackle height, body position of players, and contact area on an opponent’s body were evaluated, with the propensity of each situation to cause an HIA calculated as HIAs per 1000 events. Results The propensity for tacklers to sustain a head injury was 0.99 HIAs per 1000 tackles, 1.74-fold greater than for the ball carrier (0.57 HIAs per 1,000 tackles). There was a 3.2-fold higher risk for an HIA when the tackler was upright compared to bent-at-the-waist. The greatest risk of a tackler HIA occurred when head contact was very low (knee, boot) or high (head and elbow). HIAs were most common following head-to-head impacts. The lowest propensity for tackler HIA was found when the tackler’s head was in proximity with the ball carrier’s torso. Conclusions The result of this study replicated the findings in professional rugby union. This has implications for the injury prevention initiatives implemented to reduce HIA risk because the majority of injuries are sustained by the player initiating the action.

Three-dimensional mechanics of the rugby tackle, does the ball carrier alter their movement into contact in response to the tackler’s position?

2021 ◽  
pp. 174795412110240
Author(s):  
Suzi Edwards ◽  
Timana Tahu ◽  
Matthew Buchanan ◽  
Ross Tucker ◽  
Gordon Fuller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Movement Strategies ◽  
Movement Strategy

In rugby league and rugby union, the ball carrier is vulnerable to injury during a tackle. The height of the tackle has been associated with injury risk. The extent to which a ball carrier may alter their approach entering a tackle in response the tackler’s body height is unknown. This exploratory study aimed to identify if, when and how, the ball carrier modified their motion when being tackled in response to tackling instructions given to the tackler. Three-dimensional analysis was completed on 15 adult male rugby union/league players performing a front-on, one-on-one tackle at differing tackle heights. Repeated measure factorial analyses of variance were used to test for differences (P < 0.05). The ball carrier used two movement strategies: (1) increasing their stability by flexing their trunk, knee, and hips more when entering mid/high torso tackles; (2) offloading the ball or performing an evasive movement strategy by positioning themselves in a more upright body position when being tackled at a lower torso tackle height. This preliminary evidence suggests it may be beneficial for a coach to provide different instructions to the ball carrier to modify their movement strategies when being tackled in response to the height of the tackler to improve their performance and decrease their potential injury risk.

scholarly journals A Case–Control Study of Tackle-Based Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Risk Factors in the National Rugby League

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Gardner ◽  
Grant L. Iverson ◽  
Suzi Edwards ◽  
Ross Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Game Activity ◽  
Impact Risk ◽  
Injury Assessment ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Recent Evaluation

Abstract Background The tackle is the in-game activity carrying the greatest risk for concussion in rugby. A recent evaluation of tackle characteristics in rugby union precipitated a rule modification to reduce head impact risk during tackles. This study aims to replicate the work conducted in rugby union by examining the association between tackle characteristics and head injury events in professional rugby league. Methods There were 446 tackles resulting in a head injury assessment (HIA) and 5,694 tackles that did not result in a head injury from two National Rugby League (NRL) seasons that were reviewed and coded. Tackle height, body position of players, and contact area on an opponent’s body were evaluated, with the propensity of each situation to cause an HIA calculated as HIAs per 1000 events. Results The propensity for tacklers to sustain a head injury was 0.99 HIAs per 1000 tackles, 1.74-fold greater than for the ball carrier (0.57 HIAs per 1000 tackles). There was a 3.2-fold higher risk for an HIA when the tackler was upright compared to bent-at-the-waist. The greatest risk of a tackler HIA occurred when head contact was very low (knee, boot) or high (head and elbow). HIAs were most common following head-to-head impacts. The lowest propensity for tackler HIA was found when the tackler’s head was in proximity with the ball carrier’s torso. Conclusions The result of this study replicated the findings in professional rugby union. This has implications for the injury prevention initiatives implemented to reduce HIA risk because the majority of injuries are sustained by the tackler.

scholarly journals Concussions and Head Injuries in English Community Rugby Union Match Play

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 480-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon P. Roberts ◽  
Grant Trewartha ◽  
Michael England ◽  
William Goodison ◽  
Keith A. Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Time Loss ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Common Time ◽  
Frequency Of Contact

Background: Previous research has described general injury patterns in community-level rugby union, but specific information on time-loss head injuries has not been reported. Purpose: To establish the incidence and nature of significant time-loss head injuries in English community rugby match play, and to identify the injury risk for specific contact events. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Over 6 seasons, injury information was collected from 46 (2009-2010), 67 (2010-2011), 76 (2011-2012), 50 (2012-2013), 67 (2013-2014), and 58 (2014-2015) English community rugby clubs (Rugby Football Union levels 3-9) over a total of 175,940 hours of player match exposure. Club injury management staff reported information for all head injuries sustained during match play whereby the player was absent for 8 days or greater. Clubs were subdivided into semiprofessional (mean player age, 24.6 ± 4.7 years), amateur (24.9 ± 5.1 years), and recreational (25.6 ± 6.1 years) playing levels. Contact events from a sample of 30 matches filmed over seasons 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 provided mean values for the frequency of contact events. Results: The overall incidence for time-loss head injuries was 2.43 injuries per 1000 player match hours, with a higher incidence for the amateur (2.78; 95% CI, 2.37-3.20) compared with recreational (2.20; 95% CI, 1.86-2.53) ( P = .032) playing level but not different to the semiprofessional (2.31; 95% CI, 1.83-2.79) playing level. Concussion was the most common time-loss head injury, with 1.46 per 1000 player match hours. The tackle event was associated with 64% of all head injuries and 74% of all concussions. There was also a higher risk of injuries per tackle (0.33 per 1000 events; 95% CI, 0.30-0.37) compared with all other contact events. Conclusion: Concussion was the most common head injury diagnosis, although it is likely that this injury was underreported. Continuing education programs for medical staff and players are essential for the improved identification and management of these injuries. With the majority of head injuries occurring during a tackle, an improved technique in this contact event through coach and player education may be effective in reducing these injuries.

scholarly journals Implementation of the Activate injury prevention exercise programme in English schoolboy rugby union

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e001018
Author(s):  
Craig Barden ◽  
Keith A Stokes ◽  
Carly D McKay
Keyword(s):  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
Common Barriers ◽  
Perceptions Of School ◽  
Intervention Uptake

ObjectivesThe implementation of the Activate injury prevention exercise programme has not been assessed in an applied context. This study aimed to (1) describe the knowledge and perceptions of school rugby coaches and players towards injury risk, prevention and Activate and (2) evaluate Activate implementation in schoolboy rugby using the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance framework.MethodsBespoke electronic surveys were administered to coaches (including support staff) and players at participating English schools (2018–2020). Most questions and statements were answered using a 7-point Likert scale. At baseline, participants detailed their Activate awareness and perceptions of injury risk and prevention in schoolboy rugby. At postseason, participants reported Activate use throughout the study and their perceptions towards the programme.ResultsAt baseline, significant differences existed between coaches (n=106) and players (n=571) in Activate awareness (75% and 13% respectively; χ2=173.5, p<0.001). Coaches perceived rugby had a significantly greater injury risk than players, while holding more positive perceptions towards injury prevention. At postseason, coaches reported greater Activate adoption compared with players (76% and 18% respectively; χ2=41.8, p<0.001); 45% of players were unaware if they used the programme. Median session adherence was twice weekly, with a median duration of 10–15 min. This suggests Activate was not implemented as intended, with recommendations of three 20 min sessions per week. Both groups identified common barriers to implementation, such as lack of time and inclusion of a ball.ConclusionCoaches are instrumental in the decision to implement Activate. Targeting behavioural change in these individuals is likely to have the greatest impact on intervention uptake.

scholarly journals The assessment of pedestrian`s head injury risk at the contact with the vehicle`s hood

2019 ◽  
Vol Volume XXIX (XIX), 2019/3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Beles ◽  
B A Tolea ◽  
G F Crisan ◽  
C A Dogar ◽  
V V Ciotachiev
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Injury Risk

scholarly journals A novel biomechanical injury risk score demonstrates correlation with lower limb posterior chain injury in fifty elite level rugby union athletes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Hughes ◽  
Matt Cross ◽  
Keith Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Score ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Biomechanical Assessment ◽  
Elite Level ◽  
Hip Extension ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation ◽  
And Training

ABSTRACTObjectivesLower limb posterior chain injury (PCI) is common amongst athletic populations, with multi-factorial risk factors including age, previous injury, strength measurements, range of motion and training load. Biomechanics are commonly considered in the prevention and rehabilitation of PCI by performance staff. However, there is no documented testing method to assess for associations between biomechanics and PCI. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between an easily applicable, novel biomechanical assessment tool and PCI.MethodsFifty male elite-level rugby union athletes (age 22.83±5.08) participating in the highest tier of England were tested at the start of the 2019 pre-season period and PCIs (N=48) were recorded over the 2019/20 playing season. Participants’ biomechanics were analysed using two-dimensional video analysis against an Injury Risk Score (IRS) system in the performance of the combined movement – prone hip extension and knee flexion. Participants’ biomechanics in carrying out this movement were scored against the 10-point IRS, where the more compensatory movement recorded sees an increase in an individual’s IRS. Participants’ IRS were then compared against the number of PCI sustained and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was utilised for analysis.ResultsThere is a good significant association between IRS and PCI (R=0.573, p<0.001). Linear Regression demonstrated that an increase of 1 in IRS was associated with a 35% increase in PCI incidence (R2=0.346).ConclusionA good significance between the IRS and PCI provides preliminary support for its use as an injury risk assessment tool.

FOCUS Headform Testing Used to Evaluate Head Injury Risk for Ejected Riders of Personal Watercraft

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chimba Mkandawire ◽  
Eric S. Winkel ◽  
Nicholas A. White ◽  
Edward Schatz
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Skull Fractures ◽  
Facial Fractures ◽  
Injury Criteria ◽  
Facial Skull ◽  
Personal Watercraft ◽  
Wide Variability ◽  
Head Injury Criteria

Operators of personal watercraft (PWC) can perform maneuvers that may result in riders separating from the moving watercraft; the tested hypothesis was whether substantial brain injury concurrent with substantial facial and skull fractures can occur from contact with the PWC during a fall. The present study reports the potential for AIS2+ facial/skull fractures and AIS2+ traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a generic fall from the PWC in the absence of wave-jumping or other aggressive maneuvers. While it is well known that PWC can be used for wave-jumping which can result in more severe impacts, such impacts are beyond the scope of the present study because of the wide variability in occupant and PWC kinematics and possible impact velocities and orientations. Passenger separation and fall kinematics from both seated and standing positions were analyzed to estimate head impact velocities and possible impact locations on the PWC. A special purpose headform, known as the Facial and Ocular CountermeasUre Safety (FOCUS) device was used to evaluate the potential for facial fractures, skull fractures and TBI. Impacts between the FOCUS headform and the PWC were performed at velocities of 8, 10, and 12 miles per hour at 5 locations near the stern of a PWC. This study reports impact forces for various facial areas, linear and angular head accelerations, and Head Injury Criteria (HIC). The risk for facial fracture and TBI are reported herein. The results of this study indicate that concurrent AIS2 facial fractures, AIS2+ skull fractures, and AIS2+ TBI do not occur during a simple fall from a PWC.

scholarly journals Does ball carrier technique influence tackler head injury assessment risk in elite rugby union?

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J Tierney ◽  
Karl Denvir ◽  
Garreth Farrell ◽  
Ciaran K Simms
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Injury Assessment
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