Tackler’s head position relative to the ball carrier is highly correlated with head and neck injuries in rugby

Abstract

ObjectivesTo characterise the tackler’s head position during one-on-one tackling in rugby and to determine the incidence of head, neck and shoulder injuries through analysis of game videos, injury records and a questionnaire completed by the tacklers themselves.MethodsWe randomly selected 28 game videos featuring two university teams in competitions held in 2015 and 2016. Tackles were categorised according to tackler’s head position. The ‘pre-contact phase’ was defined; its duration and the number of steps taken by the ball carrier prior to a tackle were evaluated.ResultsIn total, 3970 tackles, including 317 (8.0%) with the tackler’s head incorrectly positioned (ie, in front of the ball carrier) were examined. Thirty-two head, neck or shoulder injuries occurred for an injury incidence of 0.8% (32/3970). The incidence of injury in tackles with incorrect head positioning was 69.4/1000 tackles; the injury incidence with correct head positioning (ie, behind or to one side of the ball carrier) was 2.7/1000 tackles. Concussions, neck injuries, ‘stingers’ and nasal fractures occurred significantly more often during tackles with incorrect head positioning than during tackles with correct head positioning. Significantly fewer steps were taken before tackles with incorrect head positioning that resulted in injury than before tackles that did not result in injury.ConclusionTackling with incorrect head position relative to the ball carrier resulted in a significantly higher incidence of concussions, neck injuries, stingers and nasal fractures than tackling with correct head position. Tackles with shorter duration and distance before contact resulted in more injuries.

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

“…These findings are in line with the results of previous research on the characteristics of tackles based on video records in rugby union. 7,11,12,19 However, the confidence intervals of these characteristics were fairly wide. It is considered that the numbers within the subgroup, tackles with or without a concussion, were not drastically different in comparison to that for other characteristics, and thus, the standard error was large.…”

Video analysis of tackling situations leading to concussion in collegiate rugby union

“…Therefore, tacklers should initially contact the ball-carrier with their shoulder to prevent concussion in comparison to initially contacting with their head/neck. In addition, Sobue et al reported that concussion for tacklers occurred significantly more often during tackles with incorrect head positioning 18) . Our result concurs with the previous study (Table 4) 18) .…”

“…In addition, Sobue et al reported that concussion for tacklers occurred significantly more often during tackles with incorrect head positioning 18) . Our result concurs with the previous study (Table 4) 18) . However, using multiple logistic regression analysis, we did not find that a tackler had a significant risk of concussion when his head was in front of the ball-carrier.…”

“…Sobue et al showed that concussion occurred significantly more often during tackles with incorrect head positioning (i.e. in front of the ball-carrier) 18) . The study analyzed dangerous contact play, tackles with incorrect head positioning, the duration and number of steps taken by the ball-carrier prior to a tackle, and clarified the relationship between the incidence of concussion 18) .…”

“…in front of the ball-carrier) 18) . The study analyzed dangerous contact play, tackles with incorrect head positioning, the duration and number of steps taken by the ball-carrier prior to a tackle, and clarified the relationship between the incidence of concussion 18) . This study provided important suggestions for the prevention of concussion in tacklers, however, further analysis of tackles causing concussion is required for younger players at a community level who are technically immature.…”