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

Tierney, Gregory; Denvir, Karl; Farrell, Garreth; Simms, Ciaran

doi:10.1080/02640414.2018.1494952

Cited by 17 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Ideally, for comparison, the MBIM method could have been conducted on a tackle with similar closing speeds that occurred lower down on the body of an unaware ball carrier. 37 The closing speeds in this case study were similar to the average closing speeds measured in elite level rugby union. 38 Access to multiple camera view-synchronised video footage directly from the sports broadcaster could have allowed more cases to be analysed.…”

Section: Limitationssupporting

confidence: 78%

Analysis of ball carrier head motion during a rugby union tackle without direct head contact: A case study

Tierney

Gildea

Krosshaug

et al. 2019

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

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Rugby union players can be involved in many tackles per game. However, little is known of the regular head loading environment associated with tackling in rugby union. In particular, the magnitude and influencing factors for head kinematics during the tackle are poorly understood. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to measure head motion of a visually unaware ball carrier during a real game tackle to the upper trunk with no direct head contact, and compare the kinematics with previously reported concussive events. Model-Based Image-Matching was utilised to measure ball carrier head linear and angular velocities. Ball carrier componential maximum change in head angular velocities of 38.1, 20.6 and 13.5 rad/s were measured for the head local X (coronal plane), Y (sagittal plane) and Z (transverse plane) axes respectively. The combination of a high legal tackle height configuration and visually unaware ball carrier can lead to kinematics similar to average values previously reported for concussive direct head impacts. AbstractRugby union players can be involved in many tackles per game. However, little is known of the regular head loading environment associated with tackling in rugby union. In particular, the magnitude and influencing factors for head kinematics during the tackle are poorly understood. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to measure head motion of a visually unaware ball carrier during a real game tackle to the upper trunk with no direct head contact, and compare the kinematics with previously reported concussive events. Model-Based Image-Matching was utilised to measure ball carrier head linear and angular velocities. Ball carrier componential maximum change in head angular velocities of 38.1, 20.6 and 13.5 rad/s were measured for the head local X (coronal plane), Y (sagittal plane) and Z (transverse plane) axes respectively. The combination of a high legal tackle height configuration and visually unaware ball carrier can lead to kinematics similar to average values previously reported for concussive direct head impacts.

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Section: Limitationssupporting

confidence: 78%

Analysis of ball carrier head motion during a rugby union tackle without direct head contact: A case study

Tierney

Gildea

Krosshaug

et al. 2019

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

Self Cite

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“…In instances where players make contact with the ball‐carrier as second tacklers, there was a 70% reduction in concussion risk (OR = 0.30). In front‐on tackles, the forceful impact had a high propensity to result in an HIA among the tacklers . Therefore, in instances where second tacklers attempted to stop penetration by the ball‐carrier, the movement of the ball‐carrier was already restricted; thus, making it difficult for the ball‐carrier to have a powerful contact, which is a risk of concussion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics and factors of concussion events for tacklers in collegiate rugby union

Suzuki

Nagai

Iwai

et al. 2019

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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The purpose of this study was to determine the factors related to the occurrence of concussion in rugby tacklers. Match video records showing tackles leading to concussion were used to identify injury-inciting events. Additionally, noninjury tackles by concussed tacklers (prior to concussion) and position-matched tacklers from the same matches were used as a control cohort. All tackles were coded according to the tackling characteristics. The odds ratio (OR) was reported by logistic regression. The results demonstrated that a side step of the ball-carrier reduced the risk of concussion for tacklers (OR = 0.13 [95% CI, 0.03-0.58]; P = .008). Conversely, the tackler's head/neck contacting the ball-carrier (OR = 18.62 [95% CI, 4.59-75.49]; P < .001) and not remaining bound to the ball-carrier since making initial contact (OR = 4.38 [95% CI, 1.69-11.34]; P = .002) were identified as risk factors for the concussion of tacklers. These results suggest that avoidance movements of the ball-carrier prior to tackling reduced the risk of concussion and that incorrect tackling techniques contributed to an increased occurrence of concussion. Furthermore, the probability of concussion for tacklers increased when their head was in front or to one side of the ball-carrier, and the direction of the tackle also affected the risk of concussion, especially from the side. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the tackler's head position in conjunction with the direction of tackle. K E Y W O R D Scommunity rugby, concussion, etiology, inciting event, tackle 186 | SUZUKI et al.

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“…Given that the video data was in the public domain, ethical approval was not required, similar to previous rugby union video analysis studies. [16][17][18] A ruck was defined as a phase of play where at least one player from each team are in contact, on their feet and over the ball which is on the ground. 5 Ruck frequency was cross-referenced through statistics providers Match Stats.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sanctioning of breakdown infringements during the knockout stage of the 2019 rugby world cup

Mitchell

Tierney

2020

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

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The breakdown is a complex and dynamic facet of rugby union, often containing multiple players from each team. It is the responsibility of coaches and trainers to ensure players are prepared to comply with the World Rugby laws of the game to encourage safe and fair play between all participants. The aim of this study was to investigate player adherence and sanctioning of infringements at the breakdown during the knockout stages of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Breakdown infringements according to World Rugby laws were identified using match video recordings of the 8 matches. Each breakdown was individually analysed by coding any infringement that had occurred and the sanctioning outcome of the breakdown. A total of 898 breakdowns were coded, of which 37.7% (n = 339) were deemed to involve illegal play. 79.9% of breakdowns involving illegal play were not penalised with the majority of infringements being “ head and shoulders below hips” (33.5%, n = 163), “ off feet” (13%, n = 63) and “ offside” (10.5%, n = 51). The attacking team were responsible for 70.0% (n = 340) of all breakdown infringements despite being penalised less than the defending team. A high number of infringements occurred at the breakdown and went unsanctioned in the knockout stages of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Future work focused on technology, training or rule amendments may be required to improve player adherence and sanctioning of infringements at the breakdown, such that they protect players and are in keeping with the dynamics of the modern game.

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

Cited by 17 publications

References 38 publications

Analysis of ball carrier head motion during a rugby union tackle without direct head contact: A case study

Analysis of ball carrier head motion during a rugby union tackle without direct head contact: A case study

Characteristics and factors of concussion events for tacklers in collegiate rugby union

Sanctioning of breakdown infringements during the knockout stage of the 2019 rugby world cup

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