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Eastwood D, Owen C, Phillips G, Williams S, Brown J, Gardner AJ, Hendricks S, Johnston RD, Stokes K, Tadmor D, Till K, Whitehead S, Jones B. Incidence of concussion in men's Super League, Championship, and Academy rugby league matches between 2016 and 2022. J Sci Med Sport 2023; 26:539-544. [PMID: 37718192 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To quantify the incidence of concussion and compare between playing levels in male rugby league. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. METHODS Between 2016 and 2022, medically diagnosed concussions in Super League, Championship, and Academy competitions were reported to the Rugby Football League via club medical staff. Anonymised data were analysed using generalised linear mixed-effects models by season, month, and between competitions. RESULTS Overall, 1403 concussions were identified from 104,209 player-match hours. Concussion incidence for Super League, Championship, and Academy was 15.5, 10.5, and 14.3 per 1000 player-match hours, respectively. Championship concussion incidence was significantly lower than the Super League (p < 0.001) and Academy (p < 0.001). No significant differences were identified between years for Super League (range: 13.3 to 18.8 per 1000 player-match hours) and Championship (range: 8.4 to 12.1 per 1000 player-match hours). In Academy (range: 9.6 to 20.5 per 1000 player-match hours), concussion incidence was significantly greater in 2021 compared to earlier years (2016, p = 0.01 and 2017, p = 0.03). No significant differences were identified between months for any competition. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of concussion is greater in Super League and Academy compared to the Championship. Academy concussion incidence has increased over time. Different factors between and within competitions, such as changes to medical standards and knowledge, could have influenced the identification and diagnosis of concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Eastwood
- Centre for Health and Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport, University of Bath, United Kingdom; Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Club, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Owen
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Phillips
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, United Kingdom; Hull Kingston Rovers, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Williams
- Centre for Health and Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport, University of Bath, United Kingdom; UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (UKCCIIS), University of Bath, United Kingdom
| | - James Brown
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre (HPALS), Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew J Gardner
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Sharief Hendricks
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre (HPALS), Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rich D Johnston
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Australia; Sport Performance Recovery Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, Australian Catholic University, Australia
| | - Keith Stokes
- Centre for Health and Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport, University of Bath, United Kingdom; Rugby Football Union, United Kingdom; UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (UKCCIIS), University of Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Tadmor
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Till
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Whitehead
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Jones
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom; England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, United Kingdom; Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre (HPALS), Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Australia; Premiership Rugby, United Kingdom.
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2
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Nolan D, Curran O, Brady AJ, Egan B. Physical Match Demands of International Women's Rugby Union: A Three-Year Longitudinal Analysis of a Team Competing in The Women's Six Nations Championship. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2023; 8:jfmk8010032. [PMID: 36976129 PMCID: PMC10053341 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a paucity of studies describing the physical match demands of elite international women's rugby union, which limits coaches' ability to effectively prepare players for the physical demands required to compete at the elite level. Global positioning system technologies were used to measure the physical match demands of 53 international female rugby union players during three consecutive Women's Six Nations Championships (2020-2022), resulting in 260 individual match performances. Mixed-linear modelling was used to investigate differences in physical match demands between positions. Significant effects (p < 0.05) of the position were observed for all variables, with the exception of relative distances (m.min-1) at velocities of 1.01-3.00 m·s-1 (p = 0.094) and 3.01-5.00 m·s-1 (p = 0.216). This study provides valuable data on the physical match demands of elite international women's rugby union match play that may aid practitioners in the physical preparation of players to compete at this level. Training methodologies for elite-level female rugby union players should consider the unique demands across positional groups with specific considerations of high-velocity running and collision frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nolan
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, D09 V209 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orlaith Curran
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, D09 V209 Dublin, Ireland
- Irish Rugby Football Union, D04 F720 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aidan J Brady
- Insight Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, D09 V209 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Egan
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, D09 V209 Dublin, Ireland
- Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Pensacola, FL 32502, USA
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Mackay L, Jones B, Janse van Rensburg DCC, Hall F, Alexander L, Atkinson K, Baldrey P, Bedford A, Cormack S, Clarke J, Croft H, Denton K, Fox AS, Hadley P, Handyside R, Hendricks S, Kerss J, Leota L, Maddern B, McErlain-Naylor SA, Mooney M, Pyke D, Pistorius D, Ramagole DA, Ryan D, Scott F, Scott T, Snow J, Spencer K, Thirlby J, Viljoen CT, Whitehead S. Consensus on a netball video analysis framework of descriptors and definitions by the netball video analysis consensus group. Br J Sports Med 2023; 57:441-449. [PMID: 36754590 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Using an expert consensus-based approach, a netball video analysis consensus (NVAC) group of researchers and practitioners was formed to develop a video analysis framework of descriptors and definitions of physical, technical and contextual aspects for netball research. The framework aims to improve the consistency of language used within netball investigations. It also aims to guide injury mechanism reporting and identification of injury risk factors. The development of the framework involved a systematic review of the literature and a Delphi process. In conjunction with commercially used descriptors and definitions, 19 studies were used to create the initial framework of key descriptors and definitions in netball. In a two round Delphi method consensus, each expert rated their level of agreement with each of the descriptors and associated definition on a 5-point Likert scale (1-strongly disagree; 2-somewhat disagree; 3-neither agree nor disagree; 4-somewhat agree; 5-strongly agree). The median (IQR) rating of agreement was 5.0 (0.0), 5.0 (0.0) and 5.0 (0.0) for physical, technical and contextual aspects, respectively. The NVAC group recommends usage of the framework when conducting video analysis research in netball. The use of descriptors and definitions will be determined by the nature of the work and can be combined to incorporate further movements and actions used in netball. The framework can be linked with additional data, such as injury surveillance and microtechnology data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois Mackay
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.,England Netball, Loughborough, UK
| | - Ben Jones
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.,Divison of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculy of Health Sciences, The University of Cape Town and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa.,Premiership Rugby, London, New South Wales, UK.,England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, Red Hall, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, Leeds, UK
| | - Dina Christina Christa Janse van Rensburg
- Section Sports Medicine, University of Pretoria Faculty of Health Sciences, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.,Medical Board Member, World Netball Foundation, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Karen Atkinson
- Strathclyde Sirens Netball, Glasgow, UK.,Netball Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Pippa Baldrey
- England Netball, Loughborough, UK.,English Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Anthony Bedford
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia.,New Zealand Silver Ferns, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stuart Cormack
- Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jade Clarke
- England Netball, Loughborough, UK.,Leeds Rhinos Netball, Leeds, UK
| | - Hayden Croft
- New Zealand Silver Ferns, Auckland, New Zealand.,Te Pukenga, Otago Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Katie Denton
- England Netball, Loughborough, UK.,English Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Aaron S Fox
- Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paige Hadley
- New South Wales Swifts Netball, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Netball Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard Handyside
- Sport and Exercise, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sharief Hendricks
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.,Divison of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculy of Health Sciences, The University of Cape Town and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jim Kerss
- England Netball, Loughborough, UK.,English Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Liana Leota
- England Netball, Loughborough, UK.,Leeds Rhinos Netball, Leeds, UK
| | - Bjorn Maddern
- New South Wales Institute of Sport, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Mitchell Mooney
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Pyke
- MMU Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Danielle Pistorius
- Section Sports Medicine, University of Pretoria Faculty of Health Sciences, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Dimakatso A Ramagole
- Section Sports Medicine, University of Pretoria Faculty of Health Sciences, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Dan Ryan
- West Coast Fever Netball, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fiona Scott
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.,Saracens Mavericks Netball, Hatfield, UK
| | - Tannath Scott
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.,Netball Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julie Snow
- England Netball, Loughborough, UK.,English Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Kirsten Spencer
- School of Sport and Recreation, Sports Performance Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Carel Thomas Viljoen
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sarah Whitehead
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK .,Leeds Rhinos Netball, Leeds, UK
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McCormack S, Till K, Wenlock J, Whitehead S, Stokes KA, Bitcon M, Brown J, Cross M, Davies P, Falvey ÉC, Flahive S, Gardner A, Hendricks S, Johnston R, Mellalieu SD, Parmley J, Phillips G, Ramirez C, Stein J, Scantlebury S, West SW, Jones B. Contributors to negative biopsychosocial health or performance outcomes in rugby players (CoNBO): a systematic review and Delphi study protocol. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2022; 8:e001440. [PMID: 36249486 PMCID: PMC9557262 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of contributors that can result in negative player outcomes in sport and the feasibility and barriers to modifying these to optimise player health and well-being have yet to be established. Within rugby codes (rugby league, rugby union and rugby sevens), within male and female cohorts across playing levels (full-time senior, part-time senior, age grade), this project aims to develop a consensus on contributors to negative biopsychosocial outcomes in rugby players (known as the CoNBO study) and establish stakeholder perceived importance of the identified contributors and barriers to their management. This project will consist of three parts; part 1: a systematic review, part 2: a three-round expert Delphi study and part 3: stakeholder rating of feasibility and barriers to management. Within part 1, systematic searches of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL) will be performed. The systematic review protocol is registered with PROSPERO. Studies will be searched to identify physical, psychological and/or social factors resulting in negative player outcomes in rugby. Part 2 will consist of a three-round expert Delphi consensus study to establish additional physical, psychological and/or social factors that result in negative player outcomes in rugby and their importance. In part 3, stakeholders (eg, coaches, chief executive officers and players) will provide perceptions of the feasibility and barriers to modifying the identified factors within their setting. On completion, several manuscripts will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The findings of this project have worldwide relevance for stakeholders in the rugby codes. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022346751.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam McCormack
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, Manchester, UK
| | - Kevin Till
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club, Leeds, UK
| | - Jessica Wenlock
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah Whitehead
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Keith A Stokes
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK,Rugby Football Union, Twickenham, UK
| | | | - James Brown
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Éanna C Falvey
- World Rugby Limited, Dublin, Ireland,College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Andrew Gardner
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,Sydney School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sharief Hendricks
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Rich Johnston
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australia Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen D Mellalieu
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University—Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff, Cardiff, UK
| | - James Parmley
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Gemma Phillips
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, Manchester, UK,Hull Kingston Rovers Rugby League club, Hull, UK
| | - Carlos Ramirez
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,Scottich Rugby Union, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joshua Stein
- National Rugby League, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sean Scantlebury
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen W West
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK,Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ben Jones
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, Manchester, UK,Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club, Leeds, UK,Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa,School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
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Duggan JD, Collins K, Keane K. Factors influencing performance and injury risk in elite female Gaelic team sport players and future research directions: a narrative review. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2022; 14:164. [PMID: 36056384 PMCID: PMC9438325 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-022-00553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Sports science research in elite female Gaelic team sports has increased in recent years, but still a large disparity exists between the volume of studies involving male and female players. As a consequence of this, it is difficult for practitioners to develop an evidence-based approach when working with female players.
Main body In this review, we discuss the current research available in elite female Gaelic team sports with focus on seven specific areas including physical and physiological demands, anthropometric and performance characteristics, injury risk, nutritional considerations, and female physiology. There appears to be unique physical demands data in match play across positions in Camogie, however, there is currently no comparative data available in ladies Gaelic football. Similarly, there is no research available on the physiological demands of both elite female Gaelic team sports. According to existing literature, performance characteristics such as speed and power are lower in this population compared to other elite female team sports. Although data is limited, the anthropometric characteristics of elite female Gaelic team sport players appear homogenous with some positional differences observed at a sub-elite level. Previous research has demonstrated a high prevalence of lower limb injuries in female elite Gaelic team sports and the provision of quality, evidence-based strength & conditioning could help mitigate these injury risks. Female Gaelic team sport players have been shown to have poor nutrition knowledge and inadequate intakes of micronutrients. Finally, although menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptives have been shown to influence performance in other female intermittent sports, to date there has not been any research carried out in elite female Gaelic team sport players. Conclusions It is evident that limited research has been carried out on elite female Gaelic sport players. More up-to-date, high-quality investigations are needed to address the research gaps, which in turn should enable practitioners in the field to apply sound, evidence-based practice/theory when working with this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- John David Duggan
- Department of Sport, Exercise & Nutrition, School of Science & Computing, Atlantic Technological University Galway, Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Kieran Collins
- Gaelic Sports Research Centre, Technological University Dublin-Tallaght Campus, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Karen Keane
- Department of Sport, Exercise & Nutrition, School of Science & Computing, Atlantic Technological University Galway, Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland
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Heyward O, Emmonds S, Roe G, Scantlebury S, Stokes K, Jones B. Applied sports science and sports medicine in women’s rugby: systematic scoping review and Delphi study to establish future research priorities. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2022; 8:e001287. [PMID: 35979431 PMCID: PMC9310180 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesIn part 1, the objective was to undertake a systematic scoping review of applied sports science and sports medicine in women’s rugby, and in part 2 to develop a consensus statement on future research priorities.DesignIn part 1, a systematic search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus and SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost) was undertaken from the earliest records to January 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020, the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews, and the PRISMA extension protocols were followed. In part 2, 31 international experts in women’s rugby (ie, elite players, sports scientists, medical clinicians, sports administrators) participated in a three-round Delphi consensus method. These experts reviewed the findings from part 1 and subsequently provided a list of priority research topics in women’s rugby. Research topics were grouped into expert-based themes and expert-based subthemes via content analysis. Expert-based themes and expert-based subthemes were ranked from very low to very high research priority on a 1–5 Likert scale. Consensus was defined by ≥70% agreement. The median research priority agreement and IQR were calculated for each expert-based theme and subtheme.Data sourcesPubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus and SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost).Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies were eligible for inclusion if they investigated applied sports science or sports medicine in women’s rugby.ResultsIn part 1, the systematic scoping review identified 123 studies, which were categorised into six sports science and sports medicine evidence-based themes: injury (n=48), physical performance (n=32), match characteristics (n=26), fatigue and recovery (n=6), nutrition (n=6), and psychology (n=5). In part 2, the Delphi method resulted in three expert-based themes achieving consensus on future research priority in women’s rugby: injury (5.0 (1.0)), female health (4.0 (1.0)) and physical performance (4.0 (1.0)).Summary/ConclusionThis two-part systematic scoping review and Delphi consensus is the first study to summarise the applied sports science and sports medicine evidence base in women’s rugby and establish future research priorities. The summary tables from part 1 provide valuable reference information for researchers and practitioners. The three expert-based themes that achieved consensus in part 2 (injury, female health and physical performance) provide clear direction and guidance on future research priorities in women’s rugby. The findings of this two-part study facilitate efficient and coordinated use of scientific resources towards high-priority research themes relevant to a wide range of stakeholders in women’s rugby.
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