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.
The purpose of this study was to clarify the tackling characteristics of tacklers relationship causing concussion based on match video records in the collegiate rugby union. Twenty-three tackling situations leading to concussion were identified based on injury data and video records. Additionally, 94 tackling situations in which concussion did not occur were extracted from the same matches. Overall, one hundred and seventeen tackling situations were analyzed in detail, and categorized into three tackle phases and outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify which tackling characteristics in the tackler relationship had a higher chance of concussion. The chance of concussion occurring to a tackler was significantly higher for collision tackle (odds ratio [OR] 84.00, 95% CI 8.27-853.11), making initial contact with tackler's head/neck (OR 23.47, 95% CI 4.80-114.71), no arm usage by tackler (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.23-10.20) and tackle break by ball-carrier (OR 5.76, 95% CI 1.67-19.85). Conversely, tacklers were significantly less likely to suffer concussion when the ball-carrier performed a side step before initial contact (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01-0.85). In conclusion, tackles leading to concussion were related to various factors in the time period before and after tackle as well as in the moment of tackle. The results of this study suggest that further research needs to be done, given the relationship between each tackling characteristic. Moreover, we consider that players and coaching staff should improve tackle skill safety by clarifying the common contributing factors to both suffering concussion and tackle performance.
The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence, severity, mechanism, and intrinsic risk factors for knee injuries in Japanese collegiate rugby union players. Initially, 119 rugby union players from one university club were registered in this prospective cohort study. The occurrence of knee injuries was recorded by a team doctor and athletic trainers during the 2009-2012 playing seasons. The number of knee injuries recorded during these four seasons was 64. The incidence of knee injuries was significantly higher during matches (10.5 injuries/1000 player hours [ph]) than that during training (0.3 injuries/1000 ph). The most common match injury was the medial collateral ligament injury (4.4 injuries/1000 ph). The greatest severity and burden were observed for anterior cruciate ligament injuries (severity: 182.5 days, burden: 310.3 days/1000 ph). A majority of knee injuries were sustained during ruck/maul (26.6%) and step/cutting (20.3%). In addition, a history of injury (odds ratio [OR]: 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-8.4, p = 0.01) and rugby experience (<10 years, OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1-5.7, p = 0.03) were considered as intrinsic risk factors for knee injuries. Although the total incidence of knee injuries in collegiate rugby union players was similar to that at a professional level, knee ligament injuries had a higher incidence and severity among college players. Injuries frequently occurred in ruck/maul for forward (FW) players and in step/cutting and being tackled position for back (BK) players. In this game, the risk of knee injury is high, and it varies for each field position, so preventive measures according to field position characteristics are necessary.
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