Tackler and ball-carrier technique during moderate and severe injuries (≥8 days lost) compared with player-matched and team-matched injury-free controls in Elite Rugby Union.

Objective: To analyse tackler and ball-carrier technical proficiency during moderate and severe contact injuries (≥8 days lost) in professional rugby union, and compare it with injury-free event-matched controls from the same player and from the same team.

Methods: Technical proficiency for 74 (n=74) (moderate and severe; ≥8 days lost) tackler and ball-carrier injuries during The Currie Cup (2014-2018) and 623 matched non-injury events (253 own controls, 370 team controls) were examined through video analysis using a standardised list of technical criteria.

Results: Mean technical proficiency score for injured tacklers during front-on tackles was 6.

Ankle osteoarthritis and its association with severe ankle injuries, ankle surgeries and health-related quality of life in recently retired professional male football and rugby players: a cross-sectional observational study.

Objectives: To determine (1) the prevalence of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) among former professional football and rugby players, (2) assess the association between ankle injuries or ankle surgeries with ankle OA, and (3) compare the mental and physical quality of life (QoL) between former professional football and rugby players with and without OA.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based observational study with a cross-sectional design. Former professional football and rugby players were recruited by the Football Players Worldwide and the International Rugby Players.

Impact of concussion and severe musculoskeletal injuries on the onset of mental health symptoms in male professional rugby players: a 12-month study.

Objective: This study explored the association between concussion or musculoskeletal injuries, and the onset of mental health symptoms (MHS) in male professional rugby players over a 12-month period.

Methods: Observational prospective cohort study with three measurements over a follow-up period of 12 months. At baseline, 573 participants provided informed consent.

Seasonal time-loss match injury rates and burden in South African under-16 rugby teams.

Objectives: Youth rugby union is a popular sport with a high injury incidence density (IID) and burden. This high risk has called for further research into the factors affecting the injuries in youth rugby. The aim of the study was to analyse time-loss IID and burden in multiple schoolboy rugby teams over a season and the potential factors associated with injury.

Tackle technique of rugby union players during head impact tackles compared to injury free tackles.

Objectives: The majority of head injuries in rugby union occur during tackles in which the head receives an impact. Head impacted tackles may be a result of poor tackle technique. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse ball-carrier and tackler technique proficiency in head impacted tackles and compare the technique proficiency to successfully completed tackles in real-match situations.

A 12-month prospective cohort study of symptoms of common mental disorders among professional rugby players.

The primary aims were to determine the 12-month incidence (and comorbidity) of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) among male professional rugby players and to explore their association with potential stressors. A secondary aim was to explore the view of male professional rugby players about the consequences of symptoms of CMD and related medical support/needs. An observational prospective cohort study with three measurements over a 12-month period was conducted among male professional rugby players from several countries.

Symptoms Of Common Mental Disorders In Professional Rugby: An International Observational Descriptive Study.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders among professional rugby players across countries. A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline questionnaires from an ongoing prospective cohort study was conducted. Nine national players' associations and three rugby unions distributed questionnaires based on validated scales for assessing symptoms of common mental disorders.

Exercise-Based Interventions for Injury Prevention in Tackle Collision Ball Sports: A Systematic Review.

Background: The injury burden in collision sports is relatively high compared to other team sports. Therefore, participants in these sports would benefit by having effective injury prevention programs. Exercise-based interventions have successfully reduced injuries in soccer, but evidence on exercise-based interventions in tackle collision sports is limited.

A comparison of catastrophic injury incidence rates by Provincial Rugby Union in South Africa.

Objectives: To compare catastrophic injury rates between the 14 South African Provincial Rugby Unions.

Design: A prospective, population-based study conducted among all South African Unions between 2008-2014.

Methods: Player numbers in each Union were obtained from South African Rugby's 2013 Census.

Mechanisms and Factors Associated With Tackle-Related Injuries in South African Youth Rugby Union Players.

Background: The majority of injuries in rugby union occur during tackle events. The mechanisms and causes of these injuries are well established in senior rugby union.

Purpose: To use information from an injury database and assess video footage of tackle-related injuries in youth rugby union matches to identify environmental factors and mechanisms that are potentially confounding to these injuries.

Video analysis of concussion injury mechanism in under-18 rugby.

Background: Understanding the mechanism of injury is necessary for the development of effective injury prevention strategies. Video analysis of injuries provides valuable information on the playing situation and athlete-movement patterns, which can be used to formulate these strategies. Therefore, we conducted a video analysis of the mechanism of concussion injury in junior-level rugby union and compared it with a representative and matched non-injury sample.

Incidence and Factors Associated With Concussion Injuries at the 2011 to 2014 South African Rugby Union Youth Week Tournaments.

Objective: To determine the concussion incidence and to identify factors associated with concussion in South African youth rugby union players.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Injury surveillance was completed at the South African Rugby Union Youth Week tournaments (under-13, under-16, and under-18 age groups).

Tackle technique and tackle-related injuries in high-level South African Rugby Union under-18 players: real-match video analysis.

Background: The high injury rate associated with rugby union is primarily due to the tackle, and poor contact technique has been identified as a risk factor for injury. We aimed to determine whether the tackle technique proficiency scores were different in injurious tackles versus tackles that did not result in injury using real-match scenarios in high-level youth rugby union.

Methods: Injury surveillance was conducted at the under-18 Craven Week tournaments (2011-2013).

Contact technique and concussions in the South African under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week Rugby tournament.

In rugby union, understanding the techniques and events leading to concussions is important because of the nature of the injury and the severity and potential long-term consequences, particularly in junior players. Proper contact technique is a prerequisite for successful participation in rugby and is a major factor associated with injury. However, the execution of proper contact technique and its relationship to injury has yet to be studied in matches.

The economic burden of time-loss injuries to youth players participating in week-long rugby union tournaments.

Objectives: Rugby Union ("rugby") is a popular sport with high injury risk. Burden of injury is described by the incidence and severity of injury. However reports have ignored the monetary cost of injuries.

Tackle-related injury rates and nature of injuries in South African Youth Week tournament rugby union players (under-13 to under-18): an observational cohort study.

Objectives: The tackle situation is most often associated with the high injury rates in rugby union. Tackle injury epidemiology in rugby union has previously been focused on senior cohorts but less is known about younger cohorts. The aim of this study was to report on the nature and rates of tackle-related injuries in South African youth rugby union players representing their provinces at national tournaments.

An evidence-driven approach to scrum law modifications in amateur rugby played in South Africa.

Background: In 2012, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) approved a new set of scrum laws for amateur rugby played in the country, to be implemented at the start of the 2013 rugby season. These law changes were primarily based on the relatively high proportion of scrum-related catastrophic injury data collected as part of the BokSmart National Rugby Safety Programme (BokSmart) over the preceding 4 years (2008-2011).

Aim: To describe the scrum-related catastrophic injury data in South Africa over the past 5 years (2008-2012), and to discuss how this evidence justifies the change in the Amateur Scrum Laws to make this aspect of the game safer in South Africa.

Characteristics of an 'effective' tackle outcome in Six Nations rugby.

Rugby is a full contact sport that frequently comprises of tackle situations between two or more players. At present there is no research available that has quantified the defining elements that lead to 'effective' tackle outcomes in matches or whether they factor in the success or failure of teams. The purpose of this study was to understand the actions of the tackler during contact with the ball-carrier and relate them to the 'effectiveness' of the tackle outcome, during rugby match play.

The incidence of rugby-related catastrophic injuries (including cardiac events) in South Africa from 2008 to 2011: a cohort study.

Objectives: To establish an accurate and comprehensive injury incidence registry of all rugby union-related catastrophic events in South Africa between 2008 and 2011. An additional aim was to investigate correlates associated with these injuries.

Design: Prospective.

The reliability of the FitroDyne as a measure of muscle power.

The FitroDyne is a device that attaches to conventional resistance-training equipment to measure speed of movement, from which muscle power is calculated. The aim of this study was to quantify the repeatability of the measurement of muscle power with the FitroDyne during squat jump and biceps curl exercises. Thirty male subjects completed 3 trials, each consisting of 6 squat jumps and 6 biceps curls of increasing loads.