Irish Rugby Football Union

Power-force-velocity ( P F v ) measurements have traditionally been employed to characterize the limits of an athlete’s neuromuscular system. However, in more recent years, there has been growing interest in whether P F v metrics can also be used to define and assess training outcomes, e.g., as an indicator of performance and/or neuromuscular fatigue. Here we assess performance in a repeated sprint ability ( RSA ) test using traditional P F v measurements, alongside two novel metrics: ballistic power ( P B ) and the F v -offset, with the changes observed attributed to neuromuscular fatigue. Twenty-four physically active males (age = 26.08 ± 6.84 years) undertook the RSA test, consisting of 3 sets of 5 × 50 m maximal sprints, with each participant wearing a STATSports Apex Pro series unit to track their motion. Mixed-effect models show how power-related metrics have the largest reduction due to fatigue compared to their force and velocity counterparts, with P B showing the largest decrease of ∼ 31.8% ( − 40.2 ≤ P B ( % change ) ≤ − 23.4 , 95% CI, Cohen’s d = 1.60 ) across the RSA test performed. We demonstrate that ballistic power, P B , is the most reactive metric to athlete fatigue amongst the considered values. The described methods provide a promising, feasible tool for field-based monitoring of fatigue using routine GPS data.

Hundreds of school and community-based rugby teams around Japan come to Sugadaira, Nagano, during the summer months for training camps. The area is rural and sparsely populated, with an average emergency medical service response time of 30 minutes. Only 4 of 108 athletic fields in Sugadaira had access to an automated external defibrillator (AED), which posed a significant challenge to the emergency response in the area. In 2021, a student-athlete experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest was successfully resuscitated, attributed to the event occurring at one of the four fields equipped with an AED. PURPOSE: Propose a community-based AED program to enhance sports medicine and emergency response in a rural town in Japan during the period of over-tourism by school-organized rugby training camp users. METHOD: The Sugadaira AED for Everyone (SAFE) project, conducted from 2022 - 2024, prepared and made available 274 (2022, n = 105; 2023, n = 86; 2024, n = 83) portable AEDs during the respective rugby training camp seasons in 2022 (7/8-9/5), 2023 (7/13-9/11), and 2024 (7/12-9/9). AEDs were made available through the support of the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU funded costs during 2022 - 2023 season) and the local athletic field union (funded 50% along with JRFU [50% match]) during 2024 season. A cost analysis of the AED rental fee was conducted to assess its sustainability. RESULT: AEDs were accessible to 595, 878, and 909 teams in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. No cardiopulmonary arrest cases were documented during the study period. The total cost of supporting the portables AEDs to be made available onsite was 4,383,000 yen, with an average cost of 1951 ± 758 yen per team per training camp stay. CONCLUSION: This case study provides valuable insights for establishing a community-based sports medicine framework in rural regions with pre-identified high-demand seasons. Although the SAFE program was fully funded by the JRFU and local athletic field union during the study period, our findings indicate that the associated costs could be feasibly distributed among teams staying in Sugadaira with minimal financial impact. The current cost analysis may support the implementation of a sustainable per capita infrastructure fee to enhance emergency preparedness in Sugadaira that does not rely on unsecured funding from organizations. Supported by: The project was funded by Japan Rugby Football Union.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between tackle characteristics and suspected concussion among Canadian high school girls’ rugby union players.MethodsA case–control video-analysis study was used to examine the association between a priori tackle characteristics (eg, type, height, head position) and suspected concussion. For every concussive tackle event, six non-concussive tackle events were matched for game and team. Penalised logistic regression was used to estimate ORs with 95% CIs for concussion given tackle characteristics.Results33 concussive tackle events, including 38 concussions, were identified. 20 were ball carrier concussions (53%). 261 (228 non-concussive, 33 concussive) tackle events, including 632 individual tackler and ball carrier instances, were coded. All ball carrier head contact intensity types were associated with concussion compared with no head contact. A trip tackle type (OR: 4.41, 95% CI 1.25 to 15.61), illegal tackle type (OR: 4.41, 95% CI 2.67 to 7.29), deceleration (OR: 14.03, 95% CI 4.65 to 42.30) and no change of speed (OR: 18.81, 95% CI 10.04 to 35.24) increased concussion odds for ball carriers. A tap (OR: 10.64, 95% CI 2.00 to 56.62) and trip tackle type (OR: 5.91, 95% CI 3.18 to 10.99), two (OR: 3.38, 95% CI 1.13 to 10.07) or three (OR: 13.91, 95% CI 1.74 to 111.53) tacklers within the event, and a head-down position (OR: 40.54, 95% CI 27.78 to 59.18) increased concussion odds for tacklers. Higher tackler contact on ball carrier (tackle height) increased concussion odds for ball carrier (reference: knee-to-upper-leg; waist-to-sternum OR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.08 to 4.80; sternum-to-armpit OR: 5.65, 95% CI 1.40 to 22.87) and tacklers (sternum-to-armpit OR: 4.20, 95% CI 1.26 to 14.03).ConclusionNumerous tackle characteristics were associated with ball carrier and tackler concussion. This is the first study to identify tackle height on ball carrier as a risk factor for concussion in girls’ rugby. Future directions should consider tackle training programmes and lower tackle height as potential concussion prevention solutions.

ABSTRACT This discursive paper explores the evolving role of the performance analyst and proposes a shift toward a more proactive and pedagogical approach to practice. Rather than solely analysing performance retrospectively, we suggest that performance analysis should employ proactive, evidence-informed pedagogical strategies, instead of being solely focused on the reactive generation of performance metrics. We examine some of the pertinent literature on decision-making in team sports, their relevance to the pedagogically inclined analyst and suggest pedagogical strategies for integration into the analyst’s workflow. As such, we point to gaps in the typical utilisation of performance analysis, emphasising the need for both data collection and pedagogical contribution to player decision-making. Specifically, we explore the use of simulation tools such as ‘Tactical Decision Games’ and the ‘Shadowbox’ method to proactively support meaningful interactions between coach, analyst and player with the aim of enhancing perceptual-cognitive skills and team-shared mental models. Additionally, employing Cognitive Task Analysis to profile players’ knowledge utilisation and decision-making strategies. The aim is to highlight opportunities for analysts to see beyond the normative behavioural lens to better inform coaching pedagogy.

This study aims to establish the validity and reliability of the prone Yo-YoIRL1 in elite female rugby league players (part one) and determine the anthropometric and physical characteristics contributing to 15m prone Yo-YoIRL1 performance (part two). Part one, 21 subjects completed one Yo-YoIRL1, one 20m and two 15m prone Yo-YoIRL1 tests over four sessions, with 7-14 days in-between. Part two, ten subjects completed a testing battery, including body mass, height, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, isometric mid-thigh pull, isometric bench-press, 10m and 20m sprints and an incremental treadmill test ([Formula: see text]). The 15m prone YoYoIRL1 demonstrated poor reliability with a typical error of 68m (21%) and a smallest worthwhile change of 54m (9%). Validity analysis found the prone versions of the YoYoIRL1 were not sensitive measures of intermittent running performance. Both prone YoYoIRL1 test distances demonstrated large mean bias (76% and -37% respectively) and typical error of the estimate (19% and 21%, respectively) in comparison to the YoYoIRL1. Body mass (r = -0.89), lean mass (r = -0.64), body fat % (r = -0.68), [Formula: see text] (l∙min-1) (r = -0.64), IMTP (r = -0.69), IBP (r = -0.15), 10m (r = -0.77) and 20m (r = -0.72) momentum displayed large negative relationships with 15m prone Yo-YoIRL1 performance. Due to the poor validity of the 20m prone YoYoIRL1, the poor validity and reliability of the 15m prone YoYoIRL1, and the anthropometric and physical characteristics which negatively impact performance, practitioners should reconsider the use of the prone YoYoIRL1 test to monitor high intensity intermittent running performance.

Abstract BackgroundThe HEalth and Ageing Data IN the Game of football (HEADING) study assessed the associations between exposure to heading a football, other impacts to the head, and concussions, with cognitive function, among former professional soccer players in England.MethodsRecruitment of former male professional soccer players aged 50+ years was conducted through the English Professional Footballers’ Association. Cumulative exposure to heading and other impacts to the head was estimated from the playing history questionnaire. Concussion was self-reported and assessed with the BRAIN-Q tool. The primary outcome was cognitive function measured with the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC).FindingsData for a total of 199 males were available for analysis. No overall association was found between heading and/or other impacts to the head and cognitive function. Amongst forwards only, those in the fourth (highest) quartile of exposure to other impacts to the head had a significantly lower PACC score compared to those in the first quartile (• = -0.65, 95% C.I. -1.23, -0.07). For all players, self-reported concussions were associated with slightly lower cognitive function (• = -0.01; 95% C.I. -0.01, -0.001).InterpretationThis study generally does not support an association between exposure to heading a football and poorer cognitive function among former male professional players. However, an association between the number of concussions sustained and poorer cognitive function was present, although the effect size is relatively small.FundingThis study was funded with a grant of the Drake Foundation to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.Research in contextEvidence before this studyThere is increasing evidence for an association between sport-related concussion and poorer cognitive function later in life, in former athletes. In soccer, heading the ball is a common event, particularly for outfield players, and involves repetitive sub-concussive impacts. The association between exposure to heading and cognitive function later in life is not consistent in the literature.Added value of this studyThis study is the first to provide appropriately modelled exposure estimates of both heading the ball and other impacts to the head among soccer players. Our findings do not support an association between heading and poorer cognitive function later in life. However they do suggest an association between concussion and poorer cognitive function among soccer players, although the size of the effect is relatively small. Other impacts to the head, such as head-to-head collisions, that did not result in the clinical features of concussions were also shown to be associated with poorer cognitive function, but only among forwards.Implication of the available evidenceThese findings support a continuous focus on the prevention of concussion in all sports, including soccer, whilst the consequences of repeated exposure to head impacts need to be further explored. Methodologically, it would be advisable to harmonise the tools developed to estimate cumulative exposures to heading, to other head impacts, and to sport-related concussion, to increase comparability of results across studies, thus enabling a sound synthesis of the evidence.

BackgroundConcussions are the most common injury in female rugby union. Due to the increased popularity of women’s rugby, it is important to ensure female-specific factors are considered, including the menstrual cycle. Function of the pituitary axes have been reported to be affected following concussion, which may contribute to irregular menses and greater concussion-like symptoms.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the association between previous concussion history and irregular menses in female rugby union players.DesignCross-sectional study within cohort studies.SettingYouth, varsity, and professional female rugby leagues in Canada, Ireland, and South Africa.ParticipantsFemale rugby players participating in one of two prospective cohort studies (Ireland, South Africa; ages 18–39 or Canada; ages 11–18) were included.Assessment of Risk FactorsThe association between self-reported previous concussion history (yes/no) and reports of irregular menses was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression (adjusting for cluster by team).Main outcome measurementsSelf-report of regular menses (yes/no).ResultsA total of 278 players [116 adolescents (median age=17.16; IQR:16.91–17.59)) and 180 adults (median age=18.97; IQR:18.47–19.50)] rugby players participated. A total of 99/278 players (33.56%) reported a previous concussion history and 53/278 (17.97%) reported irregular menses. In adult players, there was a 2.17-fold (95%CI 1.02–4.62) greater odds of reporting irregular menses in players with a previous concussion history relative to players without a previous concussion history. There was no difference in adolescent players [ORadolescent=0.56 (95% CI 0.15–2.13).ConclusionsAdult rugby players with a concussion history have greater odds of reporting irregular menses. The relationship between menstrual cycle irregularity and concussion risk requires further evaluation using a prospective cohort design. These study findings highlight the importance of sex-specific considerations in concussion prevention and potentially recovery following concussion.

IntroductionPatient and public involvement (PPI) in research is an embedded practice in clinical research, however, its role in preclinical or laboratory‐based research is less well established and presents specific challenges. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of two key stakeholder groups, preclinical researchers and clinicians on PPI in preclinical research, using spinal cord research as a case study.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted online with 11 clinicians and 11 preclinical researchers all working in the area of spinal cord injury (SCI). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.FindingsNine themes were developed through analysis. Participants' perspectives included that people living with SCI had a right to be involved, that PPI can improve the relevance of preclinical research, and that PPI can positively impact the experiences of researchers. They identified the distance between lab‐based research and the daily experiences of living with SCI to be a barrier and proactive management of accessibility and the motivated and networked SCI community as key facilitators. To develop strong partnerships, participants suggested setting clear expectations, ensuring good communication, and demonstrating respect for the time of PPI contributors involved in the research.ConclusionsWhile traditionally PPI has been more commonly associated with clinical research, participants identified several potential benefits of PPI in preclinical spinal cord research that have applicability to preclinical researchers more broadly. Preclinical spinal researchers should explore how to include PPI in their work.Patient or Public ContributionThis study was conducted as part of a broader project aiming to develop an evidence base for preclinical PPI that draws on a 5‐year preclinical research programme focused on the development of advanced biomaterials for spinal cord repair as a case study. A PPI Advisory Panel comprising seriously injured rugby players, clinicians, preclinical researchers, and PPI facilitators collaborated as co‐authors on the conceptualisation, design of the interview protocol, data analysis and writing of this manuscript.

Abstract Study DesignQualitative studyObjectiveTo explore the perspectives of preclinical spinal cord researchers and clinicians involved in the treatment of spinal cord injury on patient and public involvement (PPI) in preclinical research.SettingPreclinical spinal cord injury research.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted online to collect data that was analysed thematically.FindingsTwenty-two participants (11 clinicians and 11 preclinical researchers) were interviewed. Participants recognised the value of PPI in improving the relevance of preclinical spinal cord research and providing a source of motivation for lab-based research. The perceived distance between preclinical research and the day-to-day experiences of PPI contributors was identified as a major barrier. Inclusive practices and the highly networked and motivated community of people affected by spinal cord injury were noted as facilitators. Building strong partnerships was considered essential for successful PPI.ConclusionsWhile PPI has traditionally been more commonly associated with clinical research, participants identified the potential benefits of PPI in preclinical spinal cord research to provide context and improve research relevance and impact. Preclinical researchers should explore how PPI can be incorporated in their work.

In translating the MT of Exodus, we should be aware of the danger of allowing strongly embedded traditions to influence our rendering of specific Hebrew terms into English. Due to a now redundant sense of the English term “plague,” which previously meant a “strike” or “blow,” we should abandon its use to denote the miraculous events that are recorded in Exodus. For different reasons, we should also jettison references to an angelic destroyer and the Israelites departing as an army from the story of God’s redemption of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.