Tackling concussion in professional rugby union: a case–control study of tackle-based risk factors and recommendations for primary prevention

Cross, Matthew; Tucker, Ross; Raftery, Martin; Hester, Ben; Williams, Seán; Stokes, Keith; Ranson, Craig; Mathema, Prav; Kemp, Simon

doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097912

Cited by 97 publications

(111 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…The chances of a concussion were decreased when the tackler did not move before the tackle event; this result is in line with those of previous studies. 6,10 The risk of concussions 6 and the propensity to cause an HIA 10 were significantly greater among tacklers moving at higher speeds or accelerating. Therefore, we recommend that tacklers control their speed in the pre-contact phase, which results in a tackle characteristic that lowers the risk of concussions at the moment of contact.…”

Section: Factors Reducing the Likelihood Of The Tackler-related Conmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…[3][4][5] Recently, in rugby union, research on the inciting events leading to concussion and head injury assessment (HIA) has increased, 6-10 with a particular focus on tackling situations. 6,[8][9][10] The aforementioned studies assessed professional rugby union players, and it is considered that the results are unlikely to be applicable to nonprofessional cohorts included both youth and community cohorts. 6,9,10 Furthermore, since the HIA is applied to the only professional level, it is easily possible to collect the concussion data and video records compared with community level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Suzuki

Nagai

Iwai

et al. 2019

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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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.

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Section: Factors Reducing the Likelihood Of The Tackler-related Conmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Suzuki

Nagai

Iwai

et al. 2019

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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show abstract

“…Research on inciting events leading to concussion and HIA with video records has progressed rapidly in recent years [14][15][16][17] . Previous research, targeting the European professional level, suggested there was a higher risk of concussion when the tackler accelerated into a tackle or had head contact with the ball-carrier's head 14,17) . Sobue et al showed that concussion occurred significantly more often during tackles with incorrect head positioning (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Video analysis of tackling situations leading to concussion in collegiate rugby union

Suzuki

Nagai

Ogaki

et al. 2019

JPFSM

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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.

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“…While we accept that the removal of the tackle may be detrimental to the identity of rugby, the removal of tackling is likely to be the most effective injury prevention strategy in this particular instance 11. In contexts, such as the community game however, where children and their parents choose (expressed and informed consent) to participate in environments where coaches are expected to hold a rugby-specific qualification, we are not calling for the removal of tackling from the youth game.…”

Section: Cautionary Approachmentioning

confidence: 96%

Tackling in physical education rugby: an unnecessary risk?

Aj¹,

Batten²,

Robinson³

et al. 2018

Inj Prev

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Tackling concussion in professional rugby union: a case–control study of tackle-based risk factors and recommendations for primary prevention

Abstract: Interventions that reduce the speed and acceleration of the tackler and reduce exposure to head-to-head contact would likely reduce concussion risk in professional rugby union.

Cited by 97 publications

References 23 publications

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

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

Video analysis of tackling situations leading to concussion in collegiate rugby union

Tackling in physical education rugby: an unnecessary risk?

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