Backline Players Research Articles

Epidemiology and Time-Loss Shoulder Injuries in Professional South African Rugby Players: A Prospective Study That Focuses on Real-Time Collision Data during a Tackle

Background: In rugby, the shoulder contributes to attack/defence during collisions, tackling, falling, scrummaging, and mauling. We investigated the frequency, tissue, and pathology type of shoulder injuries per player position among professional South African rugby players, and compared injury severity in the context of momentum, intensity, and collision variables. Methods: A prospective study collecting shoulder injury data of 80 male Super Rugby players (>18 years) over 4 seasons (2018–2021). Players wore a Catapult Evo GPS unit during training and match-play, recording performance variables and collision forces during injury. We collected tissue and pathology types of injury from players’ medical files, clinical examinations, and special investigations. Results: Shoulder injuries contributed to 17% of all injuries, ranging from 2 to 34% per year. Forwards (63%) sustained most shoulder injuries, specifically locks (30%). Acromioclavicular (AC) joint (47%) was mostly involved, and ligament/joint capsule (65%) was the most common tissue type injured. Injuries with the highest average momentum resulted in players suffering minimal to mild severity injuries (1–7 days time-loss). Backs (631.15 kg·m/s) required less momentum than forwards (816.00 kg·m/s) to suffer injuries resulting in >28 days time-loss (p = 0.008). Backs encountered higher match intensity (67.76 m/min, p = 0.031) and highest average collisions (0.28/min) without suffering more severe (>28 days time-loss) injuries. Match intensity of >60 m/min resulted in more than 55% of shoulder injuries. Conclusion: One in six injuries in this cohort was shoulder-related. Forwards, specifically locks, sustained most shoulder injuries. The AC joint was the tissue type that mainly contributed. Backline players were involved in higher velocity contact, game intensity, and collision frequency but suffered fewer injuries. However, they required less momentum to sustain more severe injuries.

Evaluating physical fitness and the relationship between field and non-field tests in male rugby academy players based on playing position.

Rugby is a globally played sport with statistically significant variance in the physical fitness levels of rugby players in different playing positions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the physical fitness levels in rugby academy players and to determine the relationship between non-field and field tests based on the forward and backline playing positions. The study made use of cross-sectional, secondary data and employed a quantitative and correlational research design. Forty-five rugby academy players from a rugby academy in the Western Province were conveniently recruited for the study and split into forward and backline playing positions. The non-field tests were stature, body mass, and body fat percentage, bench-press, pull-ups, and vertical jump, while the field tests were the10-m, 30-m, and 40-m sprints, the Broncho Test, and the repeat sprintability test. Data analysis comprised independent samples t-test, Pearson's correlation, and linear and logistic regression analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Forwards were significantly heavier, stronger and more powerful than backline players (P<0.05). Backline players had a lower body fat percentage, were faster, and had a higher anaerobic endurance capacity, and higher muscular endurance (P<0.05). Body mass, body fat percentage, aerobic capacity, absolute muscular power, and relative muscular strength were all significant predictors of speed (P<0.01), and body mass was a significant predictor of anaerobic capacity (P<0.05). Forwards had higher absolute muscular strength and peak power output, whereas backs were significantly lighter, faster, relatively stronger, and possessed higher muscular endurance and were significantly influenced, in particular, by body composition and aerobic capacity.

The peripheral perception and its relation with backline and front row players for Sulaimani handball adolescent

Perception is one of the mental processes, which plays an important role in the sport aspects. Therefore, it is one of the basic requirements for improving performance in various sports. The importance of this study is that, handball players should be attempt in such peripheral perception test in order to develop player’s performance and achieve a high altitude.As a researcher I thought that in the training session here is a lack of using scientific laboratories to evaluate the elevation of the player that would be guidance for coaches to maintain their training plan.Aim of the study:-To determine the amount of perception of the players, also the comparison of perception between the players of the back and front lines of the players of the participants.Method of the study:-Used descriptive method in the survey method appropriate to the research problem.&#x0D; the results of the perceptual assessment, through which the research objectives and hypotheses were achieved, and the researcher concluded that the research sample has (a field of vision, focus power, divided attention, reaction time, and emotional maturity) were approved, as there are Moral correlation relationship between the different playing positions and the perceptual variables (field of vision, concentration force, divided attention, reaction time, and emotional maturity).

Positional running capacities and in-game demands of South African university level rugby players

Rugby is a complex contact sport consisting of varying intensities of locomotion, interspersed with stationary and contact periods. An increasing professionalisation of the sport even at university and school level has engendered a growing need to collect objective data regarding the physical attributes of rugby players. The aim of the study was to assess the positional running capacities and demands of university rugby players. Twenty-nine male rugby players (age: 22.5 ± 1.2 years; body mass: 96.1 ± 13.26 kg; stature: 182.6 ± 7.5 cm) completed a battery of tests, which included: 10 m + 40 m sprint, yo-yo intermittent recovery (Yo-Yo IRT), repeated sprint ability test (RSA), and had their in-game running demands evaluated. Positional differences between forwards and backs were reported (p<0.05) for Yo-Yo IRT: 19.2 ± 2 vs 21.1 ± 2; 10 m sprint: 1.7 ± 0.1s vs 1.6 ± 0.0s; 40 m sprint test: 5.4 ± 0.3s vs 5.1 ± 0.1s; 5 m RST: 738.9 ± 31.1m vs 767.3 ± 20.9m. Additionally, a significant difference in-game distances between forwards and the backs (absolute: 5564.1 ± 842.5m vs 6955.9 ± 780.9m; relative: 54.7 ± 9.0 m.min-1 vs 60.6 ± 8.7m.min-1) were obtained. The assessment of university-level rugby players showed that backline players tend to record higher aerobic capacity, acceleration and sprint values than forwards. Evidence has shown that during matches, backs tend to cover more distance and spend more time in each speed band than forwards. The findings were discussed in the light of their implications for competitive rugby performance.

Match loads of university rugby union players between the 2016 and 2018 Varsity Cup competitions.

Rugby union is a popular and continuously growing sport globally. With the advance of technology, practices have been implemented to quantify the match running demands of rugby union players. The aim of this study was to analyse the match loads of rugby union players between the 2016 and 2018 Varsity Cup competitions. The sample consisted of 562 match observations of male university rugby union players competing in the Varsity Cup tournaments. The backline players ran significantly longer total distances (5105 m; p = 0.001; ES = 0.49); have greater high-speed running (496 m; p = 0.001; ES = 1.03), very high-speed running (260 m; p = 0.001; ES = 1.50) and sprint distances (117 m; p = 0.001; ES = 1.32) than forward players. Backline players also accumulated a high number of metres per minute (238 ± 94; p = 0.001; ES = 0.46), total Player Load (488 ± 203; p = 0.001; ES = 0.31), RHIE (9 ± 8; p = 0.001; ES = 0.75) and number of accelerations (4 ± 5; p = 0.001; ES = 0.49). These findings may assist coaches to develop player position specific training programmes to meet the physical demands of rugby.

Workloads of forward and backline adolescent rugby players: a pilot study.

There is minimal research on workloads of adolescent rugby players. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine the workloads placed on a cohort of South African adolescent rugby players (n = 17), during an in-season period. Session RPE ratings were collected daily, 30 minutes after the training session concluded, during an 11-week in-season period. The training load was calculated as the session ratings of perceived exertion multiplied by the session's duration (min). The main finding of the study was that the adolescents in this investigation had similar workloads to elite players but higher workloads than other studies on adolescent rugby players. The forwards (3311±939 arbitrary units; AU) had a higher workload than backline players (2851±1080 AU). There was no difference between forwards and backline players with regards to the acute:chronic workload ratio. Workloads are high in these adolescent players, particularly in the forwards, and are similar to the workloads of elite level rugby players.

Isokinetic Assessment of the Knee of Amateur Soccer and Amateur Rugby Players

Introduction: Isokinetic technique is an objective and reproducible assessment of muscle strength. Due to high rates of knee injury among soccer and rugby players, the condition of knee joint muscles is critical not only for physical therapists, but also for improving the performance of the players. Aims: Comparing the strength of the knee flexors and extensors between amateur soccer players and rugby players as well as the level of strength according to the function occupied on the field. Materials and Methods: Twelve soccer and 10 rugby players were selected based on occupying different functions on the field and were assessed on the isokinetic dynamometer, Cybex Norm. The isokinetic muscle strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings in the concentric mode was measured at two angular velocities: 60°/s and 180°/s. The parameters studied were peak torque and hamstring on quadriceps ratio. Results: There was no significant difference in the isokinetic strength of the extensors and flexors between the soccer players and rugby players at both speeds. However, in soccer players, the torque in Newton Meter of the non-dominant knee extensors of the goalkeepers and defenders group at high speed was statistically higher than the torque of the strikers and midfielders group (P < 0.05). Likewise, in rugby players the torque at lowspeed of the non-dominant knee extensors of upper front line players was statistically higher than the torque of the backline players (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Regardless of the anthropometric characteristics, there is a difference in isokinetic strength depending on the function occupied on the field by the athlete.

Cumulative mild head injury (CMHI) among college rugby players: A replication and extension study

We investigated the prevalence of cumulative mild head injury (CMHI) symptoms among college student rugby players pre- and post-season. The players completed a number of neuropsychological tests known to be sensitive to CMHI effects: vocabulary, working memory, motor coordination, and a self-report Post Concussive Symptomology (PCS) checklist. A total of 18 rugby players registered at a South African university were participants (age range 18 to 24 years, SD = 2.02 years). Data were analysed utilising Fishers Exact Test comparisons of pre- and post-season mean scores. There was significant variability on mean scores between the rugby forwards and backline players in terms of verbal memory and concept formation, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and visual motor-processing speed. Poorer overall scores from the rugby forwards may also be indicative of depression as they reported more insomnia and anger on the PCS than the backline players.

A video analysis of head injuries satisfying the criteria for a head injury assessment in professional Rugby Union: a prospective cohort study

ObjectivesConcussion is the most common match injury in professional Rugby Union, accounting for 25% of match injuries. The primary prevention of head injuries requires that the injury mechanism be known...

Playing position influences the relative age effect in senior rugby union

Objectives. – Many elite sporting populations contain an over-representation of individuals born early in the year and an under-representation of players born late in the year; this phenomenon is known as the relative age effect (RAE). There has been limited examination of the RAE in rugby union. Specifically, the present study sought to extend previous research by exploring whether playing position influenced the existence of the RAE in rugby union. Equipment and methods. – The birth dates and playing position of 1122 professional and 869 amateur senior French rugby union players registered during the 2014/15 season were obtained from an on-line statistics database. Birth dates were transformed into quartiles (Q) which corresponded to the selection year (Q1, Jan-Mar), and the distribution of player births compared with the distribution of births in the general French population across the period in question. Results. – Chi-square Goodness of Fit tests revealed an RAE at both professional and amateur levels, characterised by an under-representation of players born in the last quarter of the year. Furthermore, results indicated that an RAE existed for forwards but not backline players. Back row forwards in particular showed a pronounced RAE. Conclusion. – The existence of the RAE within senior French rugby union is influenced by player position, but not by playing level. These findings should guide coaches and talent development officers when reviewing their youth development programmes.

HEAD INJURY EVENTS IN RUGBY UNION: DESCRIPTION OF HIGH RISK TACKLE EVENTS

BackgroundHead injuries are a concern in Rugby Union, accounting for 17% of injuries. Until the risk of specific game events is understood, effective interventions to reduce risk cannot be formulated.ObjectiveTo...

Profile of Rugby Injuries in High School Zimbabwean Adolescents

Background: Rugby is a popular sport played in many countries worldwide. There has been recent growing interest for the sport in Zimbabwe especially among adolescents. However, no study has been done to documentthe profile of rugby-related injuries among Zimbabwean adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years. The goal of the present study is to describe the injuries sustained by adolescent males during the 2014 high school rugby season. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 275 male adolescents’ rugby players who competed in the Super Eight School Rugby League in Harare, Zimbabwe. Results: The mean age of the sample was 16 years (SD = 1.4). 58.2% of participants sustained at least one rugby-related injury. There were 561 injuries reported in total, of which 63.3% (n = 355) were new injuries and the remainder were recurrent cases. 7.7% (n = 43) of the injuries were graded as severe with participants missing rugby activities for more than 28 days. Of the 561 injuries that occurred, 59.4% (n = 333) occurred during competitive matches in the second half (59.5%). Injuries due to tackles were the most frequent accounting for 48.3% (n = 271) of all injuries sustained. The lower limbs were the most frequent body region affected (38.6%, n = 217). When comparing position of play, flankers sustained the most injuries (14.1%) and there were no differences in incidence of injury between forward and backline players. Conclusion: Our findings on the profile of rugby injuries among male Zimbabwean adolescents were similar to those of other studies in certain aspects but differed in others. Most injuries occurred in competition during the second half of the game mainly from tackles. Both junior and senior players were equally affected. The lower limbs were frequently injured especially the knee region.

Physical fitness of elite female Rugby Union players

Rugby union is a contact sport in which players require high levels of physical fitness, which is a composite of aerobic and anaerobic endurance, muscle strength and power, speed, agility and body composition. The aim of this study was to assess the physical fitness characteristics of elite female rugby union players. Thirty two elite female rugby players who were members of the South African Rugby Union High Performance Squad were assessed during the pre-season. The players were sub-divided into two positional categories consisting of 17 forwards and 15 backs. The players underwent a comprehensive physical fitness testing (height, body mass and sum of seven skinfolds, sit-and-reach, vertical jump, 10m and 40m speed, 1 RM bench press, pull-ups, one minute push-ups and multi-stage shuttle run test). Analysis of variance was used to examine the difference between forwards and back-line players with regards to physical fitness. There were statistical differences (p < 0.01) between positional groups, as forward players had a greater body mass, sum of skinfolds and body fat percentage than back-line players. In terms of explosive leg power, speed, muscular endurance, back-line players demonstrated superior performances. In contrast, no significant differences were detected between forward and back-line players in terms of flexibility, upper body strength (1 RM bench press and pull-ups) and estimated maximal aerobic power. These findings provide the coaches with a good understanding of the physical fitness of elite female rugby union players.Keywords: Fitness, rugby, performance, positional groups.

Factors affecting the recovery-stress, burnout and mood state scores of elite student rugby players

A sample of 41 male student rugby players (mean age: 21.87 ± 1.39 years) completed the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire (Kellmann & Kallus, 2001), Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (Raedeke & Smith, 2001) and Stellenbosch Mood Scale (Terry et al., 2003) repeatedly over a five-month period. Independent t-tests, oneway analysis of variance and effect sizes were used to indicate significant differences between groups (categorised according to playing position, experience level and starting status). The group of forwards were shown to have significantly (d � 0.5) better results than the backline players for 12 of the 39 tested variables. The group of less experienced players had significantly less General and Sport-specific Stress and negative Mood State scores than their very experienced and novice counterparts, whilst the novice players showed greater General and Sport-specific Recovery scores. Differences in starting status were also observed as the reserve players were shown to have significantly higher General and Sport-specific Recovery scores and better Mood State scores than the regular starters. These results suggest that playing position, experience level and starting status should be considered in player management strategies and during the psycho-social monitoring of players aimed at reducing the onset and development of overtraining and burnout.

Interrelationships Between Measured Running Intensities and Agility Performance in Subelite Rugby Union Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate agility performance of rugby players using various intensity running tests. A further aim was to investigate if any differences existed between playing positions in relation to agility performance. Nineteen subelite players (mean ± SD age, 23.0 ± 5.4 years) participated in the study. Players underwent measurements of anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of four skinfolds). Running tests investigated were speed (10 m and 40 m sprint), agility (T Test and Illinois), and multistage fitness tests (20 m, 10 m, and 5 m), with all tests for agility measured against the Illinois agility test. Results indicated that backline players produced significant correlations (P < 0.05) in agility compared with forwards. The findings indicate that developing or using existing rugby-specific agility programs to aid performance may be of greater benefit and of higher priority in training programs designed for backs rather than forwards.

Compromised visuomotor processing speed in players of Rugby Union from school through to the national adult level

The aim of this study was to investigate the residual effects of concussion amongst players of Rugby Union from school through to the national adult level, with pre-season testing on tests of visuomotor processing speed (Digit Symbol; Trail Making Test A and B). Comparison groups included 124 male rugby players versus 102 non-contact sport controls; 71 forward versus 53 backline players. Across groups there was equivalence for age, education, estimated IQ, and hand motor dexterity. There was a significantly higher percentage of rugby players with 2+ concussions than controls. Poorer performance was in evidence for rugby players compared with controls on all tests of visuomotor speed, and for forward versus backline players on Digit Symbol, with clinically relevant medium effect sizes. The results implicate vulnerability amongst rugby players on the prototypically sensitive function of visuomotor processing in association with years of exposure to repetitive concussive and subconcussive injury.

The quantification of contacts with impact during professional rugby matches

To gain a complete understanding of a player’s total physiological stress exposure the measure of contact with impact in match situations must be addressed. The goal of this study was to quantify the contact stress players were exposed to in a rugby match. 7 Matches in a professional provincial rugby competition were analyzed to determine the frequency of the contact situations for each player. There were 386 (range 306 – 535) impact contacts per match. The forwards were involved in 68% impact contacts with 257 per match (range 199 – 389). The backline players were involved in 125 (range 93 - 148) impact contacts per match. The most frequently occurring impact contact for the whole team was contact with the ground, 108 impacts per match (range 70 – 133) followed by the scrum impact, 81 impacts per match (47 – 100). Lineout contact impacts were the least frequently observed with 2 per match (range 1 – 4). 80% of the impact contacts were recorded at a higher frequency when the team lost as opposed to when they won. These findings have the potential to influence how players are prepared for matches and managed over a season.

Isokinetic neck strength profile of senior elite rugby union players

To delineate and compare the isokinetic neck strength profile of senior elite rugby players. One hundred and eighty-nine rugby players (mean; 95% confidence intervals: 24.31; 23.87-24.75 years) were sampled from South African provincial teams and assessed anthropometrically and isokinetically according to a set protocol. Specially designed equipment was used to perform the isokinetic assessment and gathered data were analysed according to positional categories (front, second, back row and backline players). Second row forwards performed the best in the measure of peak flexion (44.04; 40.41-47.67Nm) and lateral flexion right (69.42; 63.36-75.48Nm) and left (66.31; 61.21-71.41Nm) torque, while the front row forwards performed best in peak extension torque (65.60; 62.12-69.08Nm). Few significant differences (p<0.05) existed between the forward positional categories. However, they all proved to be significantly (p<0.05) stronger and more powerful than the backline players. Peak torque values relative to body weight indicated much less variability between all positional categories. Cervical flexor to extensor ratios showed that front row forwards (65; 61.94-68.06%) had significantly (p<0.05) lower ratios than the other positional categories. Absolute peak torque is an important positional prerequisite, especially among the front row forwards. Isokinetic neck strength data presented here provides a benchmark for the effective and quantified comparison of neck strength variables, assisting with preparticipation screening and the effective rehabilitation of injured senior rugby union players.

Aerobic exercise physiology in a professional rugby union team

Introduction: In professional rugby, different positional roles may require different levels of aerobic fitness. Forward and backline players from a team of elite rugby players were tested to evaluate the differences between the two groups. Methods: 28 male players, 15 backs and 13 forwards, underwent maximal treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), lung spirometry, a 3 km timed run, and body fat measurement. Results: Peak oxygen uptake was higher in backs than in forwards (peak VO 2 48.3±2.1 vs. 41.2±2.7 ml kg −1 min −1, P<0.05) with no significant difference in peak respiratory exchange ratio (1.08±0.02 vs. 1.07±0.02, P=NS), exercise time (1306±39.7 vs. 1217±25.1 s, P=NS) or time for 3 km run (667.5±14.1 vs. 699.0±20.7 s, P=NS). However, the forwards were taller and heavier (height 190.2±2.2 vs. 179.5±1.3 cm, P<0.001, body mass 104±2.4 vs. 86.3±1.7 kg, P<0.0001) and had a higher fat content (body fat percentage 12.8±0.8 vs. 9.7±0.6%, P<0.01) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, 4.9±0.1 vs. 4.5±0.2 l, P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between peak VO 2, 3 km run time ( r=−0.45, P<0.05) and weight ( r=−0.54, P<0.003) for all subjects. Conclusion: Backline players have a higher peak oxygen uptake per kilogram than forwards, although the cardiopulmonary exercise test duration, degree of anaerobic metabolism and 3 km run time are not significantly different. These results could be due to the two groups’ different body structure, being shorter, lighter and having a lower percentage body fat. These differences, which are likely to be a result of selection for specific roles in the game, should be taken into account when evaluating aerobic fitness within a rugby team.

The US National Rugby Team: A Physiological and Anthropometric Assessment

In brief: We studied the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of 20 players who were members of the US national rugby team. Forwards were compared with back-line players, and these athl...