Quantifying Collision Frequency and Intensity in Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Collisions in rugby union and sevens have a high injury incidence and burden, and are also associated with player and team performance. Understanding the frequency and intensity of these collisions is therefore important for coaches and practitioners to adequately prepare players for competition. The aim of this review is to synthesise the current literature to provide a summary of the collision frequencies and intensities for rugby union and rugby sevens based on video-based analysis and microtechnology. Methods A systematic search using key words was done on four different databases from 1 January 1990 to 1 September 2021 (PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science). Results Seventy-three studies were included in the final review, with fifty-eight studies focusing on rugby union, while fifteen studies explored rugby sevens. Of the included studies, four focused on training—three in rugby union and one in sevens, two focused on both training and match-play in rugby union and one in rugby sevens, while the remaining sixty-six studies explored collisions from match-play. The studies included, provincial, national, international, professional, experienced, novice and collegiate players. Most of the studies used video-based analysis (n = 37) to quantify collisions. In rugby union, on average a total of 22.0 (19.0–25.0) scrums, 116.2 (62.7–169.7) rucks, and 156.1 (121.2–191.0) tackles occur per match. In sevens, on average 1.8 (1.7–2.0) scrums, 4.8 (0–11.8) rucks and 14.1 (0–32.8) tackles occur per match. Conclusions This review showed more studies quantified collisions in matches compared to training. To ensure athletes are adequately prepared for match collision loads, training should be prescribed to meet the match demands. Per minute, rugby sevens players perform more tackles and ball carries into contact than rugby union players and forwards experienced more impacts and tackles than backs. Forwards also perform more very heavy impacts and severe impacts than backs in rugby union. To improve the relationship between matches and training, integrating both video-based analysis and microtechnology is recommended. The frequency and intensity of collisions in training and matches may lead to adaptations for a “collision-fit” player and lend itself to general training principles such as periodisation for optimum collision adaptation. Trial Registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020191112.

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“…24 25 However, these demands differ significantly in volume, intensity and type (eg, rucks, mauls unique to rugby union), though the tackle is somewhat similar across codes. [24][25][26] The tackle is the most injurious event in a rugby match 27 and poses a risk of musculoskeletal and neurological injuries for both the ball carrier and the tackler. 28 29 In addition to the physical demands of rugby, depending on playing level, players undertake other rugby (eg, media, contract negotiation) and non-rugby (eg, work outside of rugby, socialising) activities, which contribute to the overall psychological load players' experience.…”

“…The demands of match play are typically specific to the respective playing level, positional groups and codes 18 20 23. The collision demands (eg, the tackle) are similar across codes, with players involved in multiple collision events throughout a match 24 25. However, these demands differ significantly in volume, intensity and type (eg, rucks, mauls unique to rugby union), though the tackle is somewhat similar across codes 24–26.…”

“…The collision demands (eg, the tackle) are similar across codes, with players involved in multiple collision events throughout a match 24 25. However, these demands differ significantly in volume, intensity and type (eg, rucks, mauls unique to rugby union), though the tackle is somewhat similar across codes 24–26. The tackle is the most injurious event in a rugby match27 and poses a risk of musculoskeletal and neurological injuries for both the ball carrier and the tackler 28 29…”

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“…However, there are other contact areas that involve a combination of tackling and general physical strength, such as scrummaging, mauling, and rucks. With many professional rugby union teams aiming to play a high-tempo style of play to retain possession, rucks are a high-risk injury area in the game [ 28 ]. Rucks and rucking involve high-speed collisions to “clean out” opposition players.…”

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“…Within a competition week, players can cover total distances of ~23 km and present relatively high internal training loads [ 1 ]. Throughout an 80 min game (comprising two 40 min halves), players cover total distances of ~6 km [ 1 ] and are involved in numerous collisions [ 3 ]. During both training and game-play, players are exposed to substantial exercise and impact-induced muscle damage [ 4 , 5 ] and expend considerable amounts of energy during a competition week [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”