Rugby Union Research Articles

Your team can make you a better person: Team cohesion is associated with off‐field prosocial behaviour via fairplay team norms and empathy in rugby union

AbstractAmple research has investigated the relationship between team cohesion and on‐field behaviour, while the association between the first and off‐field prosocial behaviour has been almost overlooked. To fill this gap, we conducted a study in a sample of Italian Rugby Union athletes to examine whether: (a) team cohesion is associated with off‐field prosocial behaviour; and (b) the underlying mechanisms of this association. We focused on the two dimensions of team cohesion, that is social and task cohesion, and hypothesized that social cohesion should be associated with off‐field individual prosocial behaviour via empathy, while the association between task cohesion and off‐field individual prosocial behaviour should be mediated by on‐field fairplay team norms. In total, 497 amateur, sub‐elite, and elite Italian Rugby Union players (128 females) took part in this study by filling out an online survey. Results revealed that social cohesion was associated with greater empathy, which in turn was associated with greater expression of off‐field prosocial behaviour. Task cohesion was associated with both greater on‐field fairplay team norms and greater empathy, which in turn was linked to more off‐field prosocial behaviour. Results are discussed with respect to the role of team cohesion in favouring the expression of prosocial behaviour off‐field, thus underlying the role of sport in fostering moral behaviour (also) in everyday community life.

Anthropometric and performance changes in male college 15s Rugby Union student-athletes over 52 weeks using in-person training and online training supervision.

Although the physiological demands on 15s Rugby Union (RU) players have increased, researchers have suggested that the anthropometric and performance data from developing male college-age RU student-athletes remain limited. This prospective longitudinal repeated measures study aimed to examine the anthropometric and performance changes of male college-age New Zealand Rugby Otago Rugby Football Union (NZRORFU) Academy student-athletes (student-athletes), using in-person and online training supervision (IPTS and OTS, respectively). NZRORFU recruited 20 student-athletes (aged 19 to 21 years) and nine were monitored over 52 weeks. During weeks 1 through 35 (in-season), the student-athlete's weekly schedule included 25 hours of IPTS. During the remaining 17 weeks (off-season), the student-athletes followed individualized training programs with OTS. Data were collected on two anthropometric variables and nine performance variables. Over the 52 weeks, using IPTS and OTS, led to increases in both anthropometric measurements with simultaneous significant performance improvements in vertical jump/lower-body power (7.1%, P=0.005, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 54.4, 63.5), Cohen's effect size (ES) =medium, upper-body strength, bench-press (17.3%, P=0.005, 95% CI 107.4, 127.6, ES=large), and bench-pull (6.1%, P=0.034, 95% CI 90.4, 96.6, ES=large). Furthermore, performance improvements were observed in two anaerobic endurance variables, however, acceleration and speed results were slower. The use of IPTS and OTS for 52 weeks resulted in increases in body weight and skinfolds with concurrent significant improvements in the performance of VJ/lower-body power and upper-body strength, but changes in each performance variable occurred at different periods.

The Incidence and Propensity of Head Acceleration Events in a Season of Men’s and Women’s English Elite-Level Club Rugby Union Matches

ObjectivesTo describe and compare the incidence and propensity of head acceleration events (HAEs) using instrumented mouthguards (iMG) by playing position in a season of English elite-level men’s and women’s rugby union matches.MethodsiMG data were collected for 255 men and 133 women from 1,865 and 807 player-matches, respectively, and synchronised to video-coded match footage. Head peak resultant linear acceleration (PLA) and peak resultant angular acceleration (PAA) were extracted from each HAE. Mean incidence and propensity values were calculated across different recording thresholds for forwards and backs in addition to positional groups (front row, second row, back row, half backs, centres, back three) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) estimated. Significance was determined based on 95% CI not overlapping across recording thresholds.ResultsFor both men and women, HAE incidence was twice as high for forwards than backs across the majority of recording thresholds. HAE incidence and propensity were significantly lower in the women’s game compared to the men’s game. Back-row and front-row players had the highest incidence across all HAE thresholds for men’s forwards, while women’s forward positional groups and men’s and women’s back positional groups were similar. Tackles and carries exhibited a greater propensity to result in HAE for forward positional groups and the back three in the men’s game, and back row in the women’s game.ConclusionThese data offer valuable benchmark and comparative data for future research, HAE mitigation strategies, and management of HAE exposure in elite rugby players. Positional-specific differences in HAE incidence and propensity should be considered in future mitigation strategies.

‘Playing catch-up’: safety and optimal tackle outcomes in women’s rugby union (PhD Academy Award)

‘Playing catch-up’: safety and optimal tackle outcomes in women’s rugby union (PhD Academy Award)

Control of the physical and technical fitness of elite professional rugby union players

Background. Rugby is one of the most popular sports abroad, that must have good physical, psychological, physiological, functional, technical condition for every athlete. The search for set of tests for monitoring the physical and technical fitness to achieve the successful performance of an athlete or a team in major competitions in Elite Professional Rugby Union Players continues to be an urgent problem. Purpose. This study aims to substantiate and develop a set of tests for monitoring the physical and technical fitness of rugby players aged 17-18. Material and Methods. There were eighty-seven male rugby players aged 17-18 from Ukrainian National team U18. All athletes volunteered to participate in the research. The following research methods have been used to solve the tasks of the research: analysis and synthesis of literature of the research topic; pedagogical observations; testing the technical, tactical and physical fitness; methods of mathematical and statistical analysis which are scientifically based and are widely used in sports science (correlation and factor analysis). The object of research is the indicators of the technical, tactical skills and physical fitness of 17-18 years old rugby players. Results. The authors offer the unified testing program and general quantitative criteria in the tests. Two approaches have been used as the main criteria for the informative tests – logical one, based on the explanation of physiological mechanism that determine high efficiency of players in the conditions of gaming activities, and empirical approach, based on the information about the factor structure and the validity of the tests used for these purposes. Information on the level of fitness of players at each stage can be used selectively in connection with aims and objectives that contribute to the management of the training process in general. Conclusions. With the help of motor and ergonomic tests, a general set of guidelines has been substantiated, which allowed to assess the state of technical, tactical and physical fitness of rugby players aged 17-18.

Determining female-specific high-intensity activity GPS thresholds in women's rugby union: Use of current use of male-derived absolute speed thresholds underestimates true levels.

GPS speed thresholds in women's rugby union are usually based on data derived from the men's game. However, evidence suggests the maximum speeds achieved by female players are 2-8km.h-1 slower and the volume of high-intensity running (HIR) in women's rugby may be underestimated. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of adjusting absolute thresholds on the volume of high-intensity locomotion. GPS units recorded movement data from 58 players across 18 English Premier15s matches. Distance in HIR and sprint (Spr) zones were calculated using male-derived criteria: AbsMale (HIR >18km.h-1; Spr ≥21km.h-1). Two alternative thresholds were compared: AbsFVmax (HIR >16km.h-1; Spr ≥19km.h-1); AbsFemale (HIR >14km.h-1; Spr ≥17km.h-1). Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and effect sizes to determine differences in distances between thresholds. AbsMale HIR and Spr distances were 63±71m and 30±53m. Significantly greater distances at higher-intensity speeds were observed with female-adjusted thresholds. AbsFVmax: HIR: 139±116m (p=0.01, ES 0.80); Spr: 60±90m (p=0.131, ES 0.41) and AbsFemale: HIR: 239±157m (p<0.01, ES 1.45); Spr: 137±152m (p<0.01, ES 0.94). 24 players (41%) achieved speeds greater than the 21km·h-1 threshold with the male-derived thresholds. At AbsFVmax threshold this increased to 44 (76%) and 100% at the AbsFemale threshold. Existing male-derived thresholds appear to underestimate high-intensity locomotion of female players. With adjusted thresholds, specifically the AbsFemale, the proportional volume of high-intensity activity in the women's game (8.2% total distance) aligns more closely to that observed during men's match-play.

Analysing the impact of the 50:22 kick law changes in South African rugby tournaments between 2021 and 2022

ABSTRACT Tactical kicking plays a crucial role in rugby union, influencing both attacking and defensive strategies and potentially impacting a team’s overall success. The introduction of the 50:22 law requires defensive teams to reposition players to anticipate and counter kicks, thereby reducing the number of players in their defensive front line. This study investigated the impact of the 50:22 kicking law on kicking profiles by comparing the 2021 and 2022 seasons, as well as examining the success rate of 50:22 kicks during the 2022 season in South African rugby union tournaments. A retrospective research design was employed, utilising video-based performance analysis software (Nacsport Scout Plus) for data collection. The analysis encompassed all general play kicks from 177 matches spanning two seasons and tournaments, amounting to a total of 6,479 kicks. Within this dataset, there were 53 successful 50:22 kicks out of 162 attempts. Key findings revealed an upswing in kicks by scrum halves (2021: 20%, 2022: 26%; p = 0.00) and a concurrent decline in kicks by fullbacks (2021: 21%, 2022: 18%; p = 0.01). Notably, there was a significant increase in the percentage of kicks occurring in the fourth quarter of the match (2021: 20%, 2022: 22%; p = 0.01). Furthermore, the study identified a noteworthy increase in the percentage of kicks following a turnover (2021: 2%, 2022: 3%; p < 0.01). In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights into how the 50:22 law shapes kicking strategies in South African rugby union, shedding light on the shifts in player roles and temporal patterns of kicking within the context of this specific law.

An evaluation of the impact of the Irish Rugby Football Union Coach Education Framework on the coach–athlete dyad across the age and stage spectrum in rugby union

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the implementation of the novel Irish Rugby Football Union Coach Education Framework (CEF) on coach–athlete interactions and perceptions. Participants were coaches (n = 4) and athletes (n = 54) from two rugby union teams. Coaches were observed pre-intervention and post-intervention of an education workshop based on the CEF and had nine training sessions video-recorded and analysed using the Coach Analysis and Intervention System (CAIS). Their perceptions of their relationship with their athletes were measured using the Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q). Athlete perceptions of their coaches’ behaviours were measured using the Coaching Behaviour Scale for Sport (CBS-S). CAIS results revealed coaches increased the use of ‘Management’ and ‘Feedback’ behaviours ( p &lt; 0.05) post-CEF, without altering prominent high-volume behaviours (e.g. ‘Instruction’). Coaches utilised similar time proportions for CAIS ‘Practice’, ‘Playing’ and ‘Management’ states, respectively, with no significant change post-CEF. CART-Q and CBS-S results revealed predominantly positive perceptions between coaches and athletes for both pre-CEF and post-CEF. Coach education is a non-linear learning process requiring consistent application over long periods of time, however, the alteration in coach behaviours post-CEF, coupled with the largely positive perceptions of both agents of the coach–athlete dyad, is an encouraging step forward for the further implementation of the CEF.

The association of the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and in-game performance in elite Rugby Union players

Genetic variation has been proposed as a factor in human athletic performance. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been studied extensively albeit with heterogeneous results. The insertion (I) and deletion (D) alleles have been associated with altered serum and tissue ACE, as well as endurance- and power-based performance respectively. It is suggested the distinction in rugby union performance can be partly attributed to variations in the ACE gene. The aim of this study was to identify associations between the ACE I/D genetic polymorphism and in-game performance in elite (≥ 5 games at top-flight) rugby union athletes. The athlete cohort consisted of 347 Caucasian men, divided into positional groups (backs and forwards) and positional subgroups (front five, back row, halves, centres, and back three). Ethical approval was provided by Manchester Metropolitan University with written informed consent obtained from all participants. Genotyping and genotype analysis was performed using a combination of the X9 High-Throughput Genomics System (Standard BioTools) and the StepOnePlus™ Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems) and their respective corresponding software. IBM SPSS Statistics 28 (SPSS, Chicago, IL) software was used to conduct Pearson's Chi-square (χ2) test of independence comparing genotype and allelic frequencies and the Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U tests to investigate differences between genotypes. Genotypic and allelic frequencies did not differ at the population level, nor at the positional group/subgroup levels. Performance did not differ between genotypes nor alleles at the population and positional group levels. Back row II genotypes beat more defenders than IDs (P = 0.008) but completed fewer tackles than both IDs (P = 0.05) and DDs (P = 0.013). Halfback DDs missed fewer tackles than both IDs (P = 0.003) and IIs (P = 0.01). Centre DD genotypes made more carries than IIs (P = 0.006). Back three IIs scored more tries than both IDs (P = 0.005) and DDs (P = 0.007) and made more clean breaks than IDs (P = 0.004). Most of the existing literature has been concerned with identifying the ACE gene as a marker of elite performance. To our knowledge, this is the first study to elucidate how the inter-personal differences in rugby union performance are influenced by the ACE I/D polymorphism. The findings from this study may provide novel insight into the specialisation of training and rehabilitation modalities for athletes, based on their genetic makeup.

Lattice use in rugby headguards

This project is related to the design of rugby headguards. The World Rugby regulations limit the ability of headguards to reduce impact force. As such, World Rugby approved headguards are not intended to reduce the risk of serious injuries, like concussion or skull fracture. Rather, current headguards only limit the risk of superficial injuries to the soft tissue, like lacerations and contusions. With concussions linked to CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy), an improvement in headguards could lead to an increased quality of life for all rugby players. With about a quarter of all rugby union injuries being concussion in the 2021/2022 season, there is justification to explore new headguard designs with potential to reduce the risk of such injuries. With World Rugby and the RFL recently introducing new rules for tackle height to try to reduce concussion rates, headguards that offer more protection could also help to reduce concussion rates. A lattice is a structure made from connected cells. When used within protective devices, lattices have potential advantages over the materials traditionally used, such as foams, from reducing the overall mass to allowing forces to be spread more evenly throughout the structure. The aim of this study was to design and comparatively impact test a lattice against foam in relation to rugby headguards. Prior data was limited as most studies on lattices focused on combining materials to have either a hollow lattice or a filled lattice which is not applicable to this study due to World Rugby regulations on protective equipment which states no sandwich material. The FEA results show that the force is more equally distributed through the lattice then it is foam allowing a lower force to hit the base.

Effect of high intensity, intermittent exercise on EyeGuide Focus smooth pursuit assessments in amateur female rugby union athletes

Ocular assessment tools provide insights into neurological functioning when diagnosing sport-related concussions (SRCs). Emerging technologies such as EyeGuide Focus have attempted to improve on pre-existing clinical tools however the reliability of the tool is currently uncertain and it is unclear if physical exertion may affect the validity of the device as seen with similar ocular assessments. The aim of this study was to determine if EyeGuide Focus accuracy is affected by high-intensity, intermittent exercise. Seven amateur female rugby union athletes were recruited (Mean age [± SD] = 23 ± 5 years; stature = 172 ± 4 cm, mass = 87 ± 20 kg). Athletes completed baseline testing on the unit which included two to four familiarisation trials and three official tests on the unit measured in arbitrary units (AUs). Testing was completed in a dark room free from distraction, and participants wore noise-cancelling headphones (BOSE QC45) during assessment. The athlete then performed a brief warmup before beginning the exercise protocol by Whyte et al. (2022, Phys Therapy Sport, 58, 126-133) which involves repeated circuits of acceleration, deceleration, backpedalling, change of direction, jumping, and side shuffling. This protocol has previously displayed significant effects on Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening testing. Athletes repeated circuits until they reported 17-18/20 on the Borg Scale with 30s between each circuit. Athletes then completed three more trials at five- and 10-mins post-exercise cessation. Data were exported to Microsoft Excel and Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences for analysis. Athletes completed an average of 03:15 ± 23 s total work in circuits. Significant differences existed between athlete’s heart rate at rest and post-warmup, post individual circuits, and five mins post-test (P &lt; 0.05) but not 10 mins post-test (P &gt; 0.05). Mean EyeGuide Focus scores were 23443.29 ± 8082.18, 35684.04 ± 13279.40, and 22927.64 ± 6377.61 AUs at baseline, 5 mins post-test, and 10 mins post-test respectively. Scores were significantly different between baseline and 5 mins post-test (P &lt; 0.001), and between 5- and 10-mins post-test (P &lt; 0.001), but not baseline and 10 mins post-test (P &gt; 0.848). Three mins of high-intensity, intermittent exercise was sufficient to induce significant changes in amateur female athletes’ EyeGuide Focus scores, returning to baseline after 10 mins of rest. The findings indicate that physical activity can impact on EyeGuide Focus scores and thus sufficient rest is required when assessing athletes for SRCs. Future research should investigate if sport-related contact or collisions also impact scoring on this device.

‘Forgive me for saying, but rugby is not a game for women:’ an exploration of contemporary attitudes towards women’s rugby union

While sport has traditionally been seen, and represented, as a male domain, some sports, such as rugby, have been particularly ‘gender-typed’ as masculine. However, in recent years, this narrative has been challenged by the rising profile, and popularity, of women’s rugby. In response to these shifts, this paper uses a survey to explore rugby fans’ attitudes towards women’s rugby and employs a framework adapted from the study of football to make sense of the data. The findings suggest that although some rugby fans’ attitudes align with the earlier football model, covert misogyny is a less salient category. Furthermore, female fans of rugby are as likely to hold overtly misogynistic and sexist attitudes towards the women’s game as male fans. Finally, it suggests that the middle-class culture of the sport is more likely to lead to careful impression management when discussing women’s rugby, which is reflected in our use of the category of ‘gender-bland’.

Head Acceleration Events During Tackle, Ball-Carry, and Ruck Events in Professional Southern Hemisphere Men's Rugby Union Matches: A Study Using Instrumented Mouthguards.

Describe head acceleration events (HAEs) experienced by professional male rugby union players during tackle, ball-carry, and ruck events using instrumented mouthguards (iMGs). Prospective observational cohort. Players competing in the 2023 Currie Cup (141 players) and Super Rugby (66 players) seasons wore iMGs. The iMG-recorded peak linear acceleration (PLA) and peak angular acceleration (PAA) were used as invivo HAE approximations and linked to contact-event data captured using video analysis. Using the maximum PLA and PAA per contact event (HAEmax), ordinal mixed-effects regression models estimated the probabilities of HAEmax magnitude ranges occurring, while accounting for the multilevel data structure. As HAEmax magnitude increased the probability of occurrence decreased. The probability of a HAEmax ≥15g was 0.461 (0.435-0.488) (approximately 1 in every 2) and ≥45g was 0.031 (0.025-0.037) (1 in every 32) during ball carries. The probability of a HAEmax >15g was 0.381 (0.360-0.404) (1 in every 3) and >45g 0.019 (0.015-0.023) (1 in every 53) during tackles. The probability of higher magnitude HAEmax occurring was greatest during ball carries, followed by tackles, defensive rucks and attacking rucks, with some ruck types having similar profiles to tackles and ball carries. No clear differences between positions were observed. Higher magnitude HAEmax were relatively infrequent in professional men's rugby union players. Contact events appear different, but no differences were found between positions. The occurrence of HAEmax was associated with roles players performed within contact events, not their actual playing position. Defending rucks may warrant greater consideration in injury prevention research.

Tackle Your Feelings: Experience of Help-Seeking for Mental Well-Being Concerns in Professional Rugby Union Players

Limited research into professional rugby union players’ experiences of seeking formal support for their mental health exists, despite comparable rates of mental health issues among elite rugby players with the general population. This qualitative study explored professional players’ actual experiences of accessing Rugby Players Ireland’s mental well-being service, via separate focus group discussions with professional players (n = 5) and player development managers (n = 4) who refer players into the service. An inductive reflexive thematic analysis identified three themes detailing players’ (a) journey to disclosure of their mental health difficulties, (b) their expectations and engagement with the well-being service, and (c) participants’ reflections on mental health experiences in a high-performance environment. Embedding mental health as a key component of player development in high-performance environments, improving mental health literacy, normalizing mental health experiences, and encouraging help-seeking would help promote player well-being and support holistic development alongside sporting performance.

A controlled early-exercise rehabilitation program commencing within 48 hours of a Sports-Related Concussion improves recovery in UK student-athletes: A prospective cohort study

ObjectivesExplore if implementing an individualised Sub-Symptom Heart Rate Threshold (SSHeRT) rehabilitation program within 48 hours versus physical rest for 14 days affects recovery following SRC in university-aged student-athletes. DesignProspective, observational cohort study. MethodsTwo UK university-aged student-athlete rugby union cohorts were compared (Physical Rest Group (PRG), n = 140, July 2019–March 2020 and Controlled Early-Exercise Group (CEG), n = 167, July 2021–April 2023). Both groups completed the test battery (Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), Immediate Post-Concussion and Cognitive Test (ImPACT), Vestibular-Ocular Motor Screening Tool (VOMS)) during pre-season to provide a baseline and within 48 hours, at 4, 8, 14-days post-SRC and at Return to Play (RTP). The PRG (n = 42) physically rested for 14 days as per the nationwide community guidelines. The CEG (n = 52) followed the SSHeRT rehabilitation program. Individual change to baseline was used in all analyses. ResultsThe CEG performed better on ImPACT's verbal memory at 4 (PRG; −5.5 (−10.8–0.0), CEG; 1.0 (−2.0–10.5), p = 0.05) and 14 days (PRG; −2.0 (−10.0–3.0), CEG; 4.0 (−1.0–11.0), p = 0.05) and on the VOMS at 4 (PRG; 3.0 (0.0–12.0), CEG; 0.0 (0.0–5.0), p = 0.03, OR; 2.910) and 14-days post-SRC (PRG; 0.0 (0.0–1.0), CEG; 0.0 (0.0–0.0), OR; 5.914). Near point convergence was better at all time points for the CEG. The CEG was 26.7 % more likely to have RTP within 30 days, and 6.7 and 5.1 times more likely to have resumed non-contact and contact academic activities by 4 days. ConclusionsSSHeRT is safe, can be used within 48 hours of a SRC and may hasten university-aged student-athletes recovery following an SRC.

Development, validation and reliability of a questionnaire to evaluate coaches' and players' perceptions, learning, and resources regarding the ruck in rugby union.

The lack of a reliable research tool for assessing the attitudes, behaviours, and learning resources of rugby coaches and players regarding the ruck event is a significant gap in rugby research. This study aimed to adapt an existing questionnaire focused on the tackle event and to validate and establish the reliability of the instrument. The questionnaire explores the attitudes, behaviours, and learning resources of rugby coaches and players, with a focus on the ruck event and its impact on coach and player development, as well as coaching practices. A seven-step design process was followed to validate the questionnaire's content, construct, clarity, and relevance. A panel of 12 experts evaluated the questionnaire, followed by a test-retest procedure involving 15 coaches and 16 players, highlighting the effectiveness of this questionnaire, and emphasising its potential to generate data that can impact the field of rugby coaching and player development. The questionnaire was deemed appropriate and clear by the expert panel, with an average completion time of 22 minutes. Moderate to good agreement was observed among players (ICC Agreement = 0.71) and coaches (ICC Agreement = 0.88), with high response consistency (ICC Consistency = 0.71 for players and 0.87 for coaches). Significant agreement was also found in Kendall's W scores (players = 0.85, coaches = 0.93, p<0.01). This study presents a developed questionnaire noted for its clarity, reliability, and consistency. It serves as a valuable tool for future rugby research, with the potential to impact coach and player development significantly.

Performance metrics that matter: assessing winning and losing teams in women’s Rugby union

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identify key performance indicators (KPI) that differentiated winning and losing teams, and how KPI may vary in balanced and unbalanced matches in Australian domestic women’s Rugby Union (RU). Four seasons of the Buildcorp Super W competition (2019–2022), round and final matches (n = 47) were analysed by an experienced performance analyst using computerised notational analysis software (Hudl SportsCode) to identify various KPI that occurred throughout a match. Findings showed that winning teams had greater ball-carrying efficiency, quick ruck speed, greater field-based tactics, greater successful conversions, and created more scoring opportunities while losing teams had poorer goal-kicking performance, greater number of rucks lost, and unsuccessful set piece performance. However, in balanced matches, only greater scoring opportunities, possession, and kicking performance discriminated between winning and losing teams. Winning teams in unbalanced matches had greater scoring opportunities, kicking performance, possession, territory, ball-carrying efficiency, and ruck performance, whilst losing teams had a greater number of rucks lost and lineouts lost. These results suggest some performance metrics can differ between balanced and unbalanced matches. Coaches may use these findings to help evaluate match performances based on scoring differential, as well as influence possession-in-territory, and kicking tactics, to increase scoring opportunities.

Routine, Routine, Routine: Sleep Regularity and its Association with Sleep Metrics in Professional Rugby Union Athletes

BackgroundMaintaining a consistent sleep and wake time is often reported as a key component of circadian rhythmicity and quality sleep. However, the impact of sleep onset and offset time variability on overall sleep outcomes are underreported in elite athlete populations. This study investigated the relationship between sleep onset and offset time variability using the sleep regularity index (SRI) and measures of sleep and well-being in professional rugby union athletes. Twenty-three professional male rugby union athletes (mean ± SD, age: 23 ± 3 y) underwent sleep monitoring via wrist actigraphy for three weeks during a pre-season phase of training and completed a daily wellness questionnaire. Median SRI was calculated and used to stratify the trainees into two quantile groups: >76.4 SRI (Regular, n = 11) and < 76.4 SRI (Irregular, n = 12).ResultsThe regular sleep group showed significantly longer total sleep duration (p = 0.02, d = 0.97) compared to the irregular group (7:42 ± 0:29 vs. 7:18 ± 0:20 h: min per night, respectively). Furthermore, while not statistically significant, the regular sleep group showed greater sleep efficiency and less wake episodes compared to irregular sleepers, as demonstrated by moderate effect sizes (d = 0.71 and 0.69, respectively).ConclusionsThe results from this study indicate that minimizing variability in sleep onset and offset time is beneficial for increasing sleep duration and may improve sleep efficiency during pre-season training in elite male rugby union athletes. This study provides evidence for the importance of including sleep-wake routines as a key component of sleep education interventions.

Concussion response and recovery in men and women's rugby union: A reflexive thematic analysis of player interviews.

Numerous concussion-management protocols have been developed in rugby, though little is known about player's personal experiences of concussion. Specifically, research typically refers to clinical recovery, with social and psychological sequelae post-concussion gaining little attention. This study aimed to explore the experiences of rugby players in relation to being concussed and recovering from concussion. UK-based rugby players (10 men, 9 women and 1 non-binary person) from school, university, club, military and semi-professional teams took part in semi-structured interviews (36 ± 12 minutes). Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a reflexive thematic analysis was conducted. Players considered pitch-side healthcare a necessity, though amateur players highlighted the difficulty in consistently accessing this resource. In the absence of medical staff, players were reliant on the goodwill of volunteers, but their response to concussion did not always align with current concussion guidance. Players highlighted that concussion recovery could be socially isolating and that current return-to-play programmes did little to restore lost confidence, resulting in retirement from the game in some instances. Participants expressed a desire for more in-person concussion education and for greater coverage of holistic methods to support their recovery. This study highlights a need for further investigation of the post-concussion social and psychological changes that players may experience during their recovery. Greater focus on information relating to concussion recovery and return-to-contact in education programmes would likely benefit player welfare.

A global survey exploring tackle training knowledge, attitudes and practices of women's rugby union coaches

The coaching and performance context in women's rugby is not well understood, despite growing popularity worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes and tackle training practices of women's rugby coaches in relation to tackle safety and performance. A globally distributed online survey exploring coaches’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards tackling women's rugby was completed by 357 coaches (mean age 41 ± 0.6 years) from 58 countries. The cross-sectional survey was distributed from March 2023 to June 2023. Survey development was guided by the Health Action Process Approach and informed by coaching experts, research evidence synthesis, and guidelines for international tackle safety programmes. Coaches believed that the risk of tackle injury in women's rugby is high and that proper tackle technique for safety is very important. More than 75% of coaches had never completed a tackle-specific training course, with only 39% aware of the availability of such courses. Time spent on controlled-contact and full-contact activities varied from 0 to 40+ min per week, averaging 10–20 min for both types of training. Barriers to the effectiveness of tackle training related to sociocultural factors, coach knowledge gaps, training environments, and player training considerations. Coach education, improved infrastructures, and physical development were ranked the highest priorities for improving tackle safety and performance. These findings inform future implementation strategies for tackle safety and performance in the context of women's rugby, highlighting the need to involve coaches in providing practical solutions, and the role of education and institutional/organisational support in facilitating such improvements.