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

Abstract

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.

Analysis of Tackling Events Leading to Mild Cervical Injuries in Collegiate Rugby Union

“…Tackling with an incorrect head position increased the likelihood of tackler-related cervical injuries. This finding is in line with that of a previous study (Sobue et al, 2018;Suzuki et al, 2020). Tanabe et al analyzed the kinematic aspects of tackles with the incorrect head position in laboratory conditions (Tanabe et al, 2019).…”

How does the situation before a tackle influence a tackler’s head placement in rugby union?: application of the decision tree analysis

“…the tackle 13 are related to the occurrence of tacklerrelated concussion. In the aspect of the ball-carrier, an accelerating ball-carrier 6 13 and evasive manoeuvre prior to tackle 8 have a relationship with the occurrence of tackler-related concussion. In addition, the latest systematic scoping review reported that 'head up and facing forward' and 'shortening steps' were associated with injury prevention and tackling performance in rugby union.…”

“…Injury surveillance of a Japanese collegiate rugby union team was conducted between 2008 and 2015 with informed consent from the players. 8 There was no patient or public involvement.…”

“…Video analysis of tackle-related injuries, [1][2][3][4][5] including concussions, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] neck injuries 15 and shoulder injuries, 16 has been conducted in rugby players at various competitive levels. In addition, head impact tackle scenes 17 18 and tackle performance 19 20 have been analysed using video footage.…”

“…3 7-9 15 16 In addition, our previous study showed that the likelihood of concussion increased when the head of the tackler was placed at one side of the ball-carrier. 8 For a side-on or oblique tackle, the tackler's head on the side of the ball-carrier may be not the correct head position; however, for a front-on tackle, the tackler's head on the side of the ball-carrier is correct. In other words, it may not be sufficient to classify the tackler's head placement with respect to the ball-carrier.…”