Youth Rugby Players Research Articles

The Influence Of Training And Match Volume On Injuries Among Japanese Youth Rugby Players

The Influence Of Training And Match Volume On Injuries Among Japanese Youth Rugby Players

User perception and acceptance of softshell headgear amongst youth rugby players

This study investigated the attitudes, preferences, motivations and acceptance of softshell headgear among youth rugby players. Female and male rugby players (ages 13-17) were surveyed regarding headgear use during training and matches, discontinuation reasons, preferred brands, motivations for use, and reasons for non-use. We assessed confidence without headgear, head injuries, familiarity with specifications, and awareness of benefits/risks. Most (86%) didn't wear headgear during training; 74.4% abstained in matches. Reasons for discontinuation included discomfort and perceived ineffectiveness. Parental advice (78%) and injury protection (52%) drove headgear use. Non-use reasons: lack of ventilation (67%), bulkiness (50%), discomfort (44%), non-compulsory use (36%), and lack of consideration (36%). 44.2% believed headgear protects against head injuries; 30.2% were unsure. The results of this study indicate a range of attitudes among youth rugby players towards the use of headgear. Understanding their motivations and concerns is crucial for improving player safety. While some players see headgear as a valuable protective measure, others are deterred by factors such as discomfort and lack of ventilation. There is a need for greater awareness and education about headgear benefits and risks among rugby players, potential modifications to headgear design to enhance comfort and ventilation should be explored and further research conducted to explore the benefits that headgear has for head impact protection.

Concussion Knowledge and Self-Reported Behaviors in Youth Rugby Players and Their Coaches: A Population-Wide Cross-Sectional Survey.

To investigate concussion knowledge and self-reported behaviors in Italian youth rugby players and their coaches. To investigate predictors of lower concussion knowledge and association between athletes' self-reported knowledge and behavior. Cross-sectional, population-wide, survey study. All rugby clubs (n = 52) of the Veneto region (Italy). Players and coaches of all under 15, 17 and 19 teams. Overall, 1719 athlete surveys (92.2% male; response rate, 71.1%) and 235 coach surveys (93.6% male; response rate, 93.2%) were eligible for analysis. Surveys circulated from September 20 to December 13, 2021. Knowledge scores were reported as a percentage of correct answers. Descriptive statistics were reported for all answers. The primary outcomes were concussion knowledge and self-reported behaviors. The secondary outcomes were the association between knowledge and participant individual factors and self-reported behaviors. Median knowledge score for athletes was 55% (IQR: 44-67) and for coaches was 60% (IQR: 52.5-69). Only 33.3% of athletes and 40% of coaches were aware of an increased risk of a second concussion after sustaining one. Athletes who had never heard of the word concussion (effect: -9.31; SE: 1.35, 95% CI: -12.0 to -6.7; P < 0.0001) and coaches with longer coaching experience (effect: -4.35; SE: 2.0, 95% CI: -8.29 to -0.41; P < 0.03) reported lower knowledge scores. There was no statistical association between knowledge scores and athlete self-reported behavior. Athletes and coaches had a similar level of concussion knowledge. Knowledge score of athletes did not predict self-reported behaviors. Although enhanced concussion education should be undertaken, interventions to ensure appropriate concussion reporting behaviors are also required.

Development of a Novel Coaching Platform to Improve Tackle Technique in Youth Rugby Players: A Proof of Concept.

Rugby union is a field sport that is played at amateur and professional levels by male and female players globally. One of the most prevalent injury risks associated with the sport involves tackle collisions with opposition players. This suggests that a targeted injury reduction strategy could focus on the tackle area in the game. In amateur rugby union, injuries to the head, face and shoulder are the most common injury sites in youth rugby playing populations. A suboptimal tackle technique may contribute to an increased injury risk in these populations. One proposed mitigation strategy to reduce tackle-related injuries in youth populations may be to increase tackle proficiency by coaching an effective tackle technique. The present study aimed to demonstrate a proof of concept for a tackle technique coaching platform using inertial measurement units (IMUs) and a bespoke mobile application developed for a mobile device (i.e., a mobile phone). The test battery provided a proof of concept for the primary objective of modelling the motion of a player in a tackle event. The prototype (bespoke mobile application) modelled the IMU in a 3D space and demonstrated the orientation during a tackle event. The participants simulated ten tackle events that were ten degrees above and ten degrees below the zero degree of approach, and these (unsafe tackles) were indicated by a red light on the mobile display unit. The parameters of ten degrees above and below the zero angle of approach were measured using an inclinometer mobile application. These tackle event simulations provided a real-time stream of data that displayed the angle of tackles on a mobile device. The novel coaching platform could therefore constitute part of an injury reduction strategy for amateur or novice coaches to instruct safer tackle practice in youth rugby playing populations.

The positive association between perceived parental responsiveness and self-esteem, anxiety, and thriving among youth rugby players: A multigroup analysis

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the association between young players’ perception of mother’s and father’s responsiveness with their self-esteem, anxiety (i.e., worry), and thriving (i.e., positive affect, vitality, and life satisfaction). In total, 314 male British rugby players with a mean age of 16.23 years (SD = 0.26) completed the study in two phases: n = 124 (first dataset), and n = 192 (second dataset). Participants trained on average 3.14 times/week (SD = 0.94) and had been involved in rugby for an average of 8.21 years (SD = 2.89). Participants completed questionnaires measuring perceived parental responsiveness (PPR) for their mother and father, self-esteem, worry about sport performance, and thriving indicators (i.e., positive affect, vitality, and life satisfaction). The results consistently indicated that participants’ perceptions of their mother’s and father’s responsiveness positively related to thriving, and negatively related to their worry about sport performance, mediated by their self-esteem. Overall, the study highlights the need for parents to be provided with insights into the value of being responsive to their child and being encouraged to regularly talk with their child regarding their needs and desires, and seeking to understand how their child perceives the support they currently receive.

Sleep patterns of elite youth team-sport athletes prior to and during international competition

ABSTRACTObjective: To examine the effects of international competition on sleep patterns of elite youth team-sport athletes from two national squads compared to a baseline period. Methods: Fifty elite male youth rugby players from two squads were assessed two weeks before (HOME) and throughout two match-day cycles (matchday−1, matchday, matchday+1) of an international competition (COMP). Players were selected to represent their nation during the Six Nations Festival and completed daily self-reported sleep diaries before and during a competitive period. Linear mixed models were used to examine differences between HOME and COMP, and within camp days. Effect sizes±90% confidence intervals (ES±90%CI) were calculated to quantify the magnitude of pairwise differences. Results: Participants spent more time in bed (34.6±13.9 min; ES=0.26±0.19), slept for longer (35.4±12.7 min; ES=0.30±0.19), and woke up later (36.5±9.5 min; ES=0.41±0.20) in COMP compared to HOME, but maintained their regular bedtime (−1.8±11.2 min; ES=0.02±0.19), sleep onset latency (4.1±3.2 min; ES=0.17±0.25) and rating of sleep quality (0.30±0.17; ES=0.17±0.19). Conclusions: Elite youth team-sport athletes sleep for longer during a competition camp compared to home resulting from a delay in wake-up times. This highlights the opportunity for implementing interventions to improve sleep patterns in international-level team sport athletes in their daily environment.

Height prediction in elite Italian rugby players: A prospective study.

We investigated the validity of the Mirwald equation as an estimate of height in a cohort of rugby players. This was a prospective study with agreement analysis of height assessments conducted in 39 male youth rugby players (mean age 15.1 ± 0.9 years). During the 2007/2008 season, 151 young athletes were selected by rugby coaches using subjective decisions based on current performance and future potential. The rugby players were measured by physician experts and their height was estimated using the Mirwald formula (MF). Only 39 athletes were finally selected because they reached an elite level, allowing actual adult height to be collected from the official team websites in June 2018. Method agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient, regression, and plotted by Bland and Altman analysis. Twenty athletes played in the Italian National team and 19 in the First Italian Division (Eccellenza). Overall, they presented an early maturation and the MF was able to accurately estimate height. The MF underestimated height (187.4-189.1 cm) and showed a high association with actual adult players' height (r = 0.925, P < .001). Our results demonstrate that the MF, whose estimation of stature is based on height, sitting height, body mass, and leg length is able to predict stature in rugby players.

A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing the Contributions of Body Fat Mass and Fat-Free Mass to Body Mass Index Scores in Male Youth Rugby Players

BackgroundIn some sports such as rugby, a large body size is an advantage, and the desire to gain weight can bring young players to become overweight or obese. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the contribution of body fat mass index (BFMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) to body mass index (BMI) changes among young male rugby players (15-a-side rugby).MethodsThe criteria of the International Obesity Task Force were used to define overweight and obesity from BMI. The method of skinfold thickness was used to assess percentage of body fat (%BF), BFMI, and FFMI. Excess body fat was defined by using BFMI and %BF above the 75th percentile. Data were grouped according to the age categories of the French Rugby Federation (U11, under 11 years; U13, under 13 years; U15, under 15 years) and to BMI status (NW normal-weight versus OW/OB overweight/obese).ResultsOverall, 32.8% of the young players were overweight, and 13.8% were obese. However, 53% of young players classified as obese and overweight by BMI had an excess body fat by using BFMI above the 75th percentile. FFMI increased significantly between U11 and U13 in both groups, without significant change in BMI and BFMI. Both groups had similar significant gains in BMI and FFMI between U13 and U15, while BFMI only increased significantly in OW/OB (+ 18.5%). The strong correlations between BMI and %BF were systematically lower than those between BMI and BFMI. FFMI was strongly or moderately associated with BFMI.ConclusionsChart analysis of BFMI and FFMI could be used to distinguish changes in body composition across age categories in young male rugby players classified as normal-weight, overweight, and obese by BMI.

Traumatic vertebral artery dissection in high school rugby players: A report of two cases

Traumatic vertebral artery dissection (VAD) has been reported in various types of sports and recreation. However, there have been no reports of VAD in rugby players, except for those with cervical spine injuries. We experienced two cases of VAD without cervical spine injuries in high school rugby players. Attention should be paid to protect youth rugby players from VAD.

Reducing musculoskeletal injury and concussion risk in schoolboy rugby players with a pre-activity movement control exercise programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundInjury risk in youth rugby has received much attention, highlighting the importance of establishing evidence-based injury reduction strategies.AimTo determine the efficacy of a movement control exercise programme in reducing injuries...

Misunderstandings of concussion within a youth rugby population.

The recognition and management of concussion has become a major health concern within rugby union. Identifying misconceptions and attitudes regarding concussion is valuable for informing player education. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge of, and attitudes towards, concussion in subgroups of youth rugby players. Cross-sectional survey. Information sheets and consent forms were distributed at training sessions for multiple teams at each of three schools and three clubs. Players who returned consent forms completed a custom-designed survey at a subsequent session. Two hundred and fifty-five English players, aged 11-17 years, completed the anonymous survey. Sixty-one participants reported a total of 77 concussions. Self-reported return to play ranged from 0 to 365 days; only seven players (11%) reported a return to play after the Rugby Football Union's recommendation of 23 days. Although the majority of findings relating to players' knowledge of concussion were positive, a number of important misunderstandings were revealed. While the majority of players reported positive attitudes towards concussion, a substantial minority (up to 30%) reported inappropriate attitudes in response to specific questions. Participants who played at multiple venues did report superior knowledge and attitudes relative to their peers who played at a single venue. Despite generally positive results, youth rugby players were found to hold a number of misconceptions regarding concussion which should be the focus for education initiatives. Considering general subgroups of players by concussion history, age, or playing position appears unlikely to enhance the design of concussion education programmes.

A Review of the Anthropometric Characteristics, Grading and Dispensation of Junior and Youth Rugby Union Players in Australia.

The grading of Australian junior and youth rugby union players has received substantial media attention in recent years. Media reports have focussed on size mismatches observed between players, especially players with Polynesian heritage, and the concerned parents who fear for the safety of their child owing to perceived mismatches. Although such concerns are well meaning, few media reports recognise the need for substantial evidence to determine the best grading system for junior and youth rugby union players. The current study reviewed relevant literature pertinent to the grading and dispensation of junior and youth rugby union players. Using primary and secondary search strategies, a total of 33 articles reporting the anthropometric characteristics of junior and youth rugby players were identified. Anthropometric data from the literature were compared with normative population data and currently used dispensation criteria. Junior and youth rugby players were found to be taller and heavier than normative population data. Current dispensation criteria, in terms of body mass, were found to vary and it is suggested that criteria be revised and standardised across rugby unions throughout Australia. Although it is acknowledged that other factors are important for grading players, anthropometric characteristics should be considered as potential dispensation criteria to supplement current age-based grading for junior and youth rugby union players. Measuring the body mass and stature of each junior player upon pre-season registration is suggested, which would provide data to establish valid dispensation criteria for the following season.

The efficacy of a movement control exercise programme to reduce injuries in youth rugby: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundInjuries to youth rugby players have become an increasingly prominent health concern, highlighting the importance of developing and implementing appropriate preventive strategies. A growing body of evidence from other youth...

Monitoring of in-season neuromuscular and perceptual fatigue in youth rugby players

The purpose of this study was to examine both short- and long-term neuromuscular and perceptual fatigue in youth rugby players during a seven-week in-season mesocycle. Eleven male youth rugby players (age 16.9 ± 0.8 years) were assessed for countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI) and leg stiffness to monitor neuromuscular performance, together with a well-being questionnaire to monitor perceptual fatigue. Players trained and competed throughout a seven-week block with test variables measured at baseline and 24 h pre- and post-matches played in weeks 1, 4 and 7. Players trained on average 9.7 ± 1.1 h per week and competed in 10.5 ± 1.9 games over the seven-week block. Pre- to post-match reductions were significant across all games for CMJ, RSI and well-being (all P < 0.05), ranging from likely to almost certain negative reductions. Well-being and RSI demonstrated non-significant (P < 0.05) unclear or inconsistent changes when comparing pre-match scores to baseline. Significant reductions to baseline were observed pre-match for CMJ (weeks 4 and 7) and stiffness (week 7), representing very likely to almost certain negative long-term decrements. CMJ, RSI and well-being were all sensitive to detecting post-match fatigue. Importantly, CMJ and stiffness were sensitive to detecting accumulated fatigue over a seven-week period, whereas RSI and well-being were not. Consequently, either a CMJ or leg stiffness should be monitored to detect long-term, accumulated fatigue in academy rugby players.

Concussion Injuries in Elite South African Youth Rugby Union

Understanding and preventing concussion in youth contact sport is important. The incidence of concussion in South African youth rugby is largely unknown. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of concussion in South African youth rugby players. METHODS: Injury surveillance was completed at the South African Rugby Union (SARU) Youth Week tournaments at three different age-grades (under-13, under-16 and under-18) between 2011 and 2014. All concussion/suspected concussion injuries were diagnosed by SARU appointed Tournament Doctors using standard clinical criteria. The concussion/suspected concussion injuries were combined for the analysis. The resulting combined concussion incidence was calculated per 1000 player-match-hours with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Poisson regression analysis was used to identify possible factors associated with concussion. RESULTS: In total, 108 concussions were documented at an incidence of 6.8/1000 player-match-hours (95% CI 5.5 - 8.1). Concussion accounted for 12.3% of all injuries and 30.8% of all time-loss injuries. A concussion occurred on average once every 4.9 games. The under-16 age group had a higher concussion rate than the under-18 age group (IRR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 - 2.6, p=0.025). The concussion rate progressively increased in the four quarters of the game with a higher rate in the fourth compared to the first quarter (IRR: 2.5, 95% CI 1.2 - 4.1, p=0.011). The majority of concussions were tackle-related (57%), with a four-fold higher risk of concussion while executing a tackle, as opposed to being tackled (IRR: 4.3, 95% CI 2.0 - 9.2, p<0.001). The hooker had a higher incidence than other player positions (p<0.05), while the scrumhalf displayed a lower incidence than other player positions (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The concussion incidence is within the broad range of youth rugby concussion data previously reported, but is higher than several rates reported in the adult game. The under-16 age group had a greater risk for concussion and the reasons behind this require further exploration. The act of executing a tackle was the mechanism most associated with concussion. Coaches must place a greater emphasis on coaching correct, safe and effective tackling techniques, where the head is less exposed to impact and concussion risk.

Prevalence of and attitudes about concussion in Irish schools' rugby union players.

Youth rugby players represent 45.2% (N = 69,472) of the Irish rugby union playing population. The risk and consequences of concussion injury are of particular concern in these young athletes, but limited epidemiological data exists. This study investigated annual and lifetime prevalence of concussion in an Irish schoolboy rugby union cohort. An anonymous cross-sectional survey of youth rugby players was conducted. Diagnosed concussion was defined as an incident where diagnosis was confirmed by a health professional or coach. Demographics, prevalence, and attitudes to concussion were collated. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression. Overall, 304 youth (aged 12-18 years) responded. Lifetime prevalence of diagnosed concussion was 19.4%, with annual (2010) prevalence 6.6%. Approximately 25.4% of players with diagnosed concussions returned to play without medical advice. Internal motivation (11.8%) was the predominant factor in feeling pressure to play while concussed. A desire for further concussion education was expressed by 89.5% of participants. Reform is required to prevent and manage concussion injuries among youth players in the rugby union, including mandatory education specific to concussion and implementation of return-to-play protocols. These findings have relevance for governing bodies, coaches, clinicians, schools, parents, and rugby union players.

Movement patterns in under-19 rugby union players: Evaluation of physical demands by playing position

The aim of the study was to assess physical performance during competition in elite youth rugby players with respect to their specific position on the field (backs vs. forwards). Twenty two elite male under-19 rugby union players voluntary participated in the study (13 forwards and 9 backs). Players’ activity profiles were assessed using Global Positioning System technology during three rugby union friendly matches. Players’ heart rates were also recorded. No significant differences were found between forwards and backs in total distance covered, average speed, or maximum and average heart rate. Backs covered significantly greater running distance than forwards at 0 to 6 km. h-1 (35.5±4.1 vs. 28.7±4.0 m·min-1; p<0.05) and greater distance at speeds of 20 km. h-1 and greater (7.5±2.8 vs. 2.6±2.2 m·min-1; p<0.05) whereas forwards covered greater distance at 6 to 12 km. h-1 (26.6±4.8 vs 19.9±4.8 m·min-1; p<0.05) and at 12 to 14 km. h-1 (8.8±2.7 vs. 6.5±2.0 m·min-1; p<0.05). Backs performed more very high-intensity runs than did forwards (0.33±0.13 vs. 0.14±0.10 no·min-1; p<0.05). In conclusion physical demands during the match differed between backs and forwards with backs performing a greater number of high intensity efforts than did forwards.

The incidence and factors associated with concussion injuries in South African Youth Rugby Union

Background: Rugby union is a sport characterized by frequent high impact collisions and therefore has a relatively high concussion risk. The incidence of concussion in South African youth rugby is largely unknown. Furthermore, there is limited evidence of which factors are associated with increased concussion risk in youth rugby. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the incidence of concussion and to identify potential risk factors of concussion within South African youth rugby players.

Incidence of and risk factors for traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: an epidemiologic study in high-school rugby players

The incidence of reinjuries due to glenohumeral instability and the major risk factors for primary anterior shoulder dislocation in youth rugby players have been unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, mechanisms, and intrinsic risk factors of shoulder dislocation in elite high-school rugby union teams during the 2012 season. A total of 378 male rugby players from 7 high-school teams were investigated by use of self-administered preseason and postseason questionnaires. The prevalence of a history of shoulder dislocation was 14.8%, and there were 21 events of primary shoulder dislocation of the 74 overall shoulder injuries that were sustained during the season (3.2 events per 1000 player-hours of match exposure). During the season, 54.3% of the shoulders with at least one episode of shoulder dislocation had reinjury. This study also indicated that the persistence of glenohumeral instability might affect the player's self-assessed condition, regardless of the incidence during the current season. By a multivariate logistic regression method, a history of shoulder dislocation on the opposite side before the season was found to be a risk factor for contralateral primary shoulder dislocation (odds ratio, 3.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-9.97; P = .02). High-school rugby players with a history of shoulder dislocation are not playing at full capacity and also have a significant rate of reinjury as well as a high risk of dislocating the other shoulder. These findings may be helpful in deciding on the proper treatment of primary anterior shoulder dislocation in young rugby players.

The predictive ability of the frequency of perfectionistic cognitions, self-oriented perfectionism, and socially prescribed perfectionism in relation to symptoms of burnout in youth rugby players

Perfectionism has been identified as an antecedent of athlete burnout. However, to date, researchers examining the relationship between perfectionism and athlete burnout have measured perfectionism at a trait level. The work of Flett and colleagues (Flett, Hewitt, Blankstein, & Gray, 1998) suggests that perfectionism can also be assessed in terms of individual differences in the frequency with which they experience perfectionistic cognitions. The aims of this study were to: (1)examine the relationship between the frequency of perfectionistic cognitions and symptoms of athlete burnout; and (2)determine whether the frequency of perfectionistic cognitions account for additional unique variance in symptoms of athlete burnout above the variance accounted for by self-oriented and socially prescribed dimensions of perfectionism. Two-hundred and two male rugby players (mean age 18.8 years, s = 2.9, range 16–24) were recruited from youth teams of professional and semi-professional rugby union clubs in the UK. Participants completed measures of trait perfectionism, frequency of perfectionistic cognitions, and symptoms of athlete burnout. The frequency of perfectionistic cognitions was positively related to all symptoms of athlete burnout and explained 3–4% unique variance in symptoms of athlete burnout after controlling for self-oriented and socially prescribed dimensions of perfectionism. Findings suggest that the frequency with which perfectionistic cognitions are experienced may also be an antecedent of athlete burnout. Perfectionistic cognitions should, therefore, be considered in both future models of the relationship between perfectionism and athlete burnout, as well as interventions aimed at reducing perfectionism fuelled burnout.