A modified prebind engagement process reduces biomechanical loading on front row players during scrummaging: a cross-sectional study of 11 elite teams

Cazzola, Dario; Preatoni, Ezio; Stokes, Keith; England, Mike; Trewartha, Grant

doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092904

Cited by 39 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…While many studies have examined the components of scrum force [2][3][4][15][16][17] the movement of the CoP elicited during scrummaging in a forward direction, a measurement of the vector through which force is applied, has not yet been studied. By identifying group and individual scrumming CoPs a player or team could work to maximise summation of forces from different elements of the scrum or alter CoP position to attack the opponent's weaker area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The calibration and application of an individual scrummaging ergometer

et al. 2015

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Although the characteristic morphology of rugby forwards playing different positions in the rugby scrum has been well documented, a complete picture of the force characteristics that different players produce has not been evaluated. This is especially true for the movement of the centre of pressure (CoP) elicited during scrummaging in a forward direction. An individual scrummaging ergometer was therefore developed to measure the CoP of an individual scrum action using conventional torque calculations. Calibration of the measurement system revealed measured force errors within 16.6 N of the actual force and errors of less than 3.96 mm for CoP location determination. Thirty-nine club level rugby union players (22 front rows, 11 locks and six back rows) scrummed against the ergometer on an outdoor rugby field. Differences between the three groups were tested using one-way ANOVAs. The maximum force for different players was 2253.6 ± 649.0 N over the entire subject group. There were no differences in the individual compressive force between the groups [front rows: 2404.0 ± 650.3 N; locks: 2185.6 ± 568.9 N; back rows: 1826.9 ± 670.2 N (p = 0.143)]. Individually, front rows started at a higher position than back rows (p = 0.009) and were at a higher vertical position than locks when producing maximum force (p = 0.028). Front rows had lower variation in the CoP (p = 0.044) and less movement to achieve their maximum force (p = 0.020) than locks. Front rows moved less overall than back rows (p = 0.028) during the scrum trial. The design and application of the individual scrum ergometer showed with good limits of agreement that differences in force magnitude and CoP exist within scrummaging players. Practically, the application of this ergometer may assist in the individual optimisation of scrummaging performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The calibration and application of an individual scrummaging ergometer

et al. 2015

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“…Quantitative research on the rugby scrum has been occasional14 22–24 and has demonstrated that high forces can be generated, particularly during the engagement phase 14. Recent research has increased the scale and scope of the biomechanical investigation of the scrum,15 25 and has moved the investigation into live contested scrummaging to improve the ecological validity of the data 26…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Injury and biomechanical perspectives on the rugby scrum: a review of the literature

et al. 2014

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As a collision sport, rugby union has a relatively high overall injury incidence, with most injuries being associated with contact events. Historically, the set scrum has been a focus of the sports medicine community due to the perceived risk of catastrophic spinal injury during scrummaging. The contemporary rugby union scrum is a highly dynamic activity but to this point has not been well characterised mechanically. In this review, we synthesise the available research literature relating to the medical and biomechanical aspects of the rugby union scrum, in order to (1) review the injury epidemiology of rugby scrummaging; (2) consider the evidence for specific injury mechanisms existing to cause serious scrum injuries and (3) synthesise the information available on the biomechanics of scrummaging, primarily with respect to force production. The review highlights that the incidence of acute injury associated with scrummaging is moderate but the risk per event is high. The review also suggests an emerging acknowledgement of the potential for scrummaging to lead to premature chronic degeneration injuries of the cervical spine and summarises the mechanisms by which these chronic injuries are thought to occur. More recent biomechanical studies of rugby scrummaging confirm that scrum engagement forces are high and multiplanar, but can be altered through modifications to the scrum engagement process which control the engagement velocity. As the set scrum is a relatively 'controlled' contact situation within rugby union, it remains an important area for intervention with a long-term goal of injury reduction.

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“…Notably, after the scrum was identified as having a high propensity for injury,1 engagement strategies were changed on the basis of research studies, resulting in reduced biomechanical loading on front row players by ∼20% 2. This research ultimately led to a worldwide law amendment across all levels of the game.…”

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confidence: 99%

Injury risk and a tackle ban in youth Rugby Union: reviewing the evidence and searching for targeted, effective interventions. A critical review

2016

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It has recently been proposed that the tackle, an integral part of Rugby Union, be banned in school rugby, as a means to reduce the risk of injury. This proposal held that harmful contact should be removed in response to what was termed an unacceptably high-injury risk. Such a ban would represent a significant intervention that could change the nature of Rugby Union. As such, the basis and rationale for such a ban is worthy of critical evaluation. This review aims to describe the research on which such a ban is proposed. It does so through an assessment (identification), estimation (understanding of the magnitude and occurrence) and evaluation (determining acceptability) of the risk before decisions can be made about implementing any risk mitigation strategies. The body of literature describing injury risk, particularly among youths, is indeed thin and fraught with methodological differences that makes definitive conclusions impossible. We describe these, and their implications, arguing that the complete ban on the tackle may be unnecessary in young children, in whom injury risk may not be as high as is often argued, but also that it may have detrimental consequences. Finally, we propose alternative strategies and research questions which must be pursued to effectively reduce risk without creating unintended consequences or changing the nature of the sport.

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A modified prebind engagement process reduces biomechanical loading on front row players during scrummaging: a cross-sectional study of 11 elite teams

Abstract: Using a scrum engagement process which involves binding with the opposition prior to the engagement reduces the stresses acting on players and therefore may represent a possible improvement for players' safety.

Cited by 39 publications

References 31 publications

The calibration and application of an individual scrummaging ergometer

The calibration and application of an individual scrummaging ergometer

Injury and biomechanical perspectives on the rugby scrum: a review of the literature

Injury risk and a tackle ban in youth Rugby Union: reviewing the evidence and searching for targeted, effective interventions. A critical review

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