Rugby Science Update 9
More than rugby: A scoping review of coaches in rugby
The purpose of this review was to synthesize the current coach-focused literature on rugby union, rugby league and rugby sevens. Using a scoping review approach, 105 articles were analysed. Ten coaches were also consulted for insight into whether they found the review beneficial for coaches and how researchers can improve the coach–research relationship. 44 of these studies reported male coaches, 3 reported female coaches and 18 reported both male and female coaches. Most of the studies focused on coaches within rugby union (76%) and rugby league (14%). The remainder of the studies focused on a combination of rugby cohorts (4%), and only one study focused on rugby sevens (1%). Three themes were formed after a thematic analysis which included themes on coach knowledge (n=71), coach pedagogies (n=30) and coach development (n=4). The key finding within this review was that coaches had a good understanding of injury risk, prevention and management, specifically on concussions. The main strategy to improve coaches’ understanding of injury risk, prevention, and management of all aspects of injury is by providing coach educational resources, such as workshops and injury prevention programmes. Also, coaches are encouraged to build knowledge on all aspects related to rugby performance, such as technical and tactical knowledge. Another key finding of this review was the importance of the athlete–coach relationship, as well as coach reflective practice. Additionally, there is a shift in coaching pedagogy, from a coach-centred approach towards a player-centred approach. This review focused on the three themes of key research areas and found that integrating all themes could improve rugby coaching research and practice moving forward.
This study is published in International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.
Mental Fatigue Impairs Tackling Technique in Amateur Rugby Union Players
The aim of this study was to test the effects of a mentally fatiguing protocol on rugby union players’ tackling technique on both their dominant and non-dominant shoulders. 20 amateur rugby union players from the Western Province Super League A participated in this study. The study used a randomized, crossover, counterbalanced design. Players visited the laboratory twice: once for the non-Mental Fatigue condition (control) and then the Mental Fatigue condition. After a warmup, the players underwent the protocol. The protocol required each player to perform 4 sets of 6 tackles on the tackle simulator located at the University of Cape Town. Three tackles on the dominant shoulder and three tackles on the non-dominant shoulder were completed in random order. A lighting system that is mounted behind the tackle dummy flashed prior to the dummy being released to indicate which shoulder the player should tackle. After the baseline tackle set (the first set of tackles), the players in the Mental Fatigue condition performed a 30-minute Stroop Task, with two 5-minute Stroop top-ups after the next two sets. If players were completing the control condition, the players rested and were allowed to read magazines for the same time frame. At a later stage, each tackle was recorded and scored using a standardized list of technical criteria to determine how technically correct each tackle was. The authors found that mental fatigue can impair a rugby player’s tackle technique, and these impairments are greater when tackling on the non-dominant shoulder. The technical components that were significantly impaired by the mental fatigue protocol was “explosiveness (rapid movement) on contact.” It is recommended that sport practitioners include a mental fatigue component into tackle training programmes to improve and develop tackle technique and capacity.
This study is published in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.
‘Body on the line’: experiences of tackle injury in women’s rugby union – a grounded theory study
The aim of this study was to describe and understand the tackle injury experiences and behaviours in women’s rugby union. This study undertook a qualitative grounded theory approach, which explores how and why women rugby union players behave in different contexts. Twenty-one women rugby union players were interviewed about their tackling injury experience from Canada, South Africa, and Europe. After the data analysis was completed, the findings were split into three categories: (1) embodied understandings of tackle injury; (2) gender and tackle injury risk and (3) influences on tackle injury behaviours. The authors found that within the rugby culture, players normalised pain and injury, which impacts the players physical and emotional health. Female rugby players desired respect and recognition from coaches and teammates to prove their place in rugby. Therefore, players often played through their injuries and ‘put their body on the line’. Furthermore, players would be rewarded for ‘putting their bodies on the line’. Players also reported that tackle experiences were filled with fear, stemming from being underprepared for the tackle. The authors recommended that tackle injury prevention should become a priority at all levels to ensure women have an inclusive and equal playing environment compared to their male counterparts.
This study is published in British Journal of Sports Medicine.
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