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van Tonder R, Hendricks S, Starling L, Surmon S, Viviers P, Kraak W, Stokes KA, Derman W, Brown JC. Tackling the tackle 2: Evaluation of referee and player behavioural change as measures of implementation of a law variation in community-level male amateur rugby union. J Sci Med Sport 2024; 27:63-70. [PMID: 38030441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.11.004] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate player and referee behaviour during a lower tackle height law variation trial in community rugby union ('rugby'). DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. METHODS In a law variation trial in male amateur community rugby, coded match video surveillance data were analysed. Referee (sanctioning rate) and player (tackler body position) behaviour changes over one season (under the lowered, armpit-level maximum legal tackle height condition) were analysed in three approximately equal periods of the season. Secondarily, an independent professional referee reviewed illegal high tackle sanctioning data. RESULTS Overall, 108 matches with 14,780 tackles were filmed and coded. Sanctioned illegal high tackle propensity was significantly higher in the mid-season (41 sanctioned high tackles/1000 tackle events; 95 % CI: 35-47), compared with first and last periods. Upright tacklers in tackles decreased significantly in the final vs. middle period of the season (rate ratio: 0.69; 95 % CI: 0.54-0.88; p < 0.01). Of all the coder-determined high tackles also assessed as high under the new law by the independent referee, 51 % were sanctioned by the on-field referee. CONCLUSIONS Positive player and referee behavioural changes were observed during a lowered legal tackle height law variation in this community rugby setting. Increased mid-phase high tackle sanctioning by referees was followed by fewer tackles with upright tacklers in the subsequent (last) phase of the season. Encouraging positive behaviour changes of this nature, particularly if sustained (beyond trial study periods), may contribute to overall injury risk reduction, and hold considerable importance to inform future injury prevention strategies in rugby.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riaan van Tonder
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; IOC Research Centre, South Africa.
| | - Sharief Hendricks
- Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, UK. https://twitter.com/sharief_h
| | - Lindsay Starling
- UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport, University of Bath, UK; Centre for Health and Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport, University of Bath, UK; World Rugby House, UK. https://twitter.com/starling_linds
| | - Sean Surmon
- Stellenbosch University, Maties Sport, South Africa. https://twitter.com/seansurmon
| | - Pierre Viviers
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Stellenbosch University Campus Health Service, South Africa; IOC Research Centre, South Africa. https://twitter.com/thematiesdoc
| | - Wilbur Kraak
- Division of Sport Science, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, South Africa; Department of Sport, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. https://twitter.com/Coachwilbur
| | - Keith A Stokes
- UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport, University of Bath, UK; Centre for Health and Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport, University of Bath, UK; Medical Services, Rugby Football Union, UK. https://twitter.com/drkeithstokes
| | - Wayne Derman
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; IOC Research Centre, South Africa. https://twitter.com/wderman
| | - James Craig Brown
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, UK; IOC Research Centre, South Africa. https://twitter.com/jamesbrown06
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Carson F, Scott T, Campo M, Hamlin MJ. Editorial: Performance enhancement in rugby. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1212390. [PMID: 37229361 PMCID: PMC10203957 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1212390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. Carson
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - T. Scott
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - M. Campo
- Laboratoire de Psychologie, Dynamiques Relationnelles Et Processus Identitaires, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - M. J. Hamlin
- Department of Tourism, Sport and Society, Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand
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3
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van Tonder R, Starling L, Surmon S, Viviers P, Kraak W, Boer PH, Jordaan E, Hendricks S, Stokes KA, Derman W, Brown JC. Tackling sport-related concussion: effectiveness of lowering the maximum legal height of the tackle in amateur male rugby - a cross-sectional analytical study. Inj Prev 2023; 29:56-61. [PMID: 36600566 PMCID: PMC9887377 DOI: 10.1136/ip-2022-044714] [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] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rugby union ('rugby') is popular globally, with most of its participants being amateur. Concern regarding sport-related concussion (SRC) sustained during rugby is increasing. SRC occurs most frequently in the tackle, yet few interventions have aimed to mitigate this risk factor. This study investigated the influence of a lowered legal tackle height on SRC incidence in amateur rugby. DESIGN Cross-sectional analytical study: 2018 (control-standard tackle height) and 2019 (intervention-lowered legal tackle height) seasons. SETTING South African collegiate student rugby competition. PARTICIPANTS Between 800 and 900 male amateur student players (age: 20±1.6 years) in each year. INTERVENTION Maximum legal tackle height lowered from line of the shoulder on the ball carrier to the line of the armpit. OUTCOME MEASURES Number of overall (medical attention) and time-loss (≥1 day lost) injuries, head injuries and SRCs in 2018 and 2019 (dependent variables); events associated with injury incidents (independent variables). RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in incidences of time-loss injuries (IRR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.6 to 1.1; p=0.13), head injuries (IRR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.5 to 1.3; p=0.42) and SRC (IRR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.4 to 1.2; p=0.20). In 2018 and 2019, most time-loss head injuries (57%, n=43) and SRCs (55%, n=26) occurred during the tackle. CONCLUSIONS Despite a trend towards reducing injuries, head injuries and SRC, lowering maximum legal tackle height to armpit level did not change SRC incidence in this amateur male rugby cohort. Most time-loss head injuries and SRCs occurred during the tackle. Further tackle-related interventions to reduce SRC incidence require investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riaan van Tonder
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa .,IOC Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Sean Surmon
- Maties Sport, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Pierre Viviers
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa,Campus Health Service, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Wilbur Kraak
- Division of Sport Science, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Pieter-Henk Boer
- Department of Human Movement Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Wellington, South Africa
| | - Esme Jordaan
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa,Statistics and Population Studies Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharief Hendricks
- Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Keith A Stokes
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK,Medical Services, Rugby Football Union, London, UK
| | - Wayne Derman
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa,IOC Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - James Craig Brown
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa,IOC Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
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Oliver B, Ashton J, Welsby G, Simpson A. A comparison of the knowledge and attitudes of concussion within higher and lower leagues of the community rugby union game. Phys Ther Sport 2022; 58:151-159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Sato H, Sasaki K, Nakamura A, Nakamura F, Yamada M, Maeda A, Fujimaki A, Watanabe I. Acute Subdural Hematoma in High School Rugby Players in Japan: The Importance of Playing Experience for Injury Prevention. World Neurosurg 2021; 152:e112-e117. [PMID: 34044165 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is known to be devasting sport-related head injury but it is relatively rare in rugby compared with other contact sports. Certain cases of ASDH have happened in high school rugby players in Japan. To prevent them from the injury we report a background of the players. METHODS Data of high school rugby players who suffered ASDH were extracted from injury reports in the Japan Rugby Football Union between April 2004 and March 2020. The number of injured players, diagnosis on the report, school year, phase of play where the injury occurred, and playing career were analyzed. RESULTS There were 30 cases of ASDH including 16 cases in the first year, 9 in the second year, and 5 in the third year of playing. Phase of play was mainly being tackled in 11 (37%), and tackling in 13 (43%). Novice players, defined as a player having less playing experience of rugby during junior high school, accounted for 77% of phase of tackling, 82% of being tackled. First year novice players accounted for 100% of phase of being tackled. Outcome within 6 months after injury was recovery in 14, morbidity in 6, mortality in 2, and unknown in 8. CONCLUSIONS Playing experience in high school rugby players should be considered as an important factor for prevention of ASDH-in particular, phase of being tackled is riskier than that of tackling for first year novice players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Sato
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
| | - Ko Sasaki
- Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness, and Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Fusao Nakamura
- Department of Orthopedics, Aizenbashi Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mutsuo Yamada
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Ryutsu Keizai University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | | | - Ichiro Watanabe
- Faculty of Liberal Arts, Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan
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Hind K, Konerth N, Entwistle I, Theadom A, Lewis G, King D, Chazot P, Hume P. Cumulative Sport-Related Injuries and Longer Term Impact in Retired Male Elite- and Amateur-Level Rugby Code Athletes and Non-contact Athletes: A Retrospective Study. Sports Med 2021; 50:2051-2061. [PMID: 32671695 PMCID: PMC7575474 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-020-01310-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Rugby union and rugby league are popular team contact sports, but they bring a high risk of injury. Although previous studies have reported injury occurrence across one or several seasons, none have explored the total number of injuries sustained across an entire career. As the first to do so, the aim of this study was to report on cumulative injuries and their perceived long-term impact in retired rugby code athletes compared to athletes from non-contact sports. Methods One hundred and eighty-nine former rugby code athletes (rugby union n = 145; rugby league n = 44) and 65 former non-contact athletes were recruited to the UK Rugby Health Project between September 2016 and December 2018. Details on sports participation, sports injuries and concussion history, sports injury-related surgeries, and previous and current health were obtained from a validated, online self-report questionnaire. Results Former elite rugby code athletes (n = 83) reported more total injuries per player (median 39, IQR 35) than former amateur rugby code athletes (n = 106; median 23, IQR 30; p = 0.014) and non-contact sports athletes (n = 65; median 7.5, IQR 15; p < 0.001). Concussion was the most frequently reported injury for the elite and amateur rugby code groups, followed by upper/lower back and knee ligament injuries. These injuries also presented with the highest recurrence. Rugby code groups reported a higher continued impact of previous concussion, neck injuries, shoulder dislocation, ACL tears, and knee ligament injuries (p = 0.003–0.045). The reported prevalence of osteoarthritis was more than twofold greater in the elite rugby code group than in non-contact athletes (51% v 22%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of back pain and/or severe and regular joint pain was high across all groups (47–80%), particularly the elite rugby code group. The total number of joint injuries and sport injury-related surgeries was higher in those who reported current osteoarthritis and current severe and regular joint pain (p < 0.001–p = 0.028). Conclusion Across multiple injury types, past participation in rugby union and rugby league, particularly at elite level, is associated with a high cumulative injury load and a continued impact of previous injuries post-retirement. Given the high number of reported concussions (and their recurrence) and associations between previous injuries during a player’s career and current musculoskeletal conditions, efforts should be prioritized to reduce the occurrence and recurrence of injuries in rugby codes at all levels of the sport. Strategies should also be developed for supporting the specific physical health needs of rugby code athletes post-retirement. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40279-020-01310-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Hind
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, 42 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN, UK. .,Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Queen's Campus, Stockton, TS17 6BH, UK.
| | - Natalie Konerth
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, 42 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN, UK
| | - Ian Entwistle
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, 42 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN, UK.,Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Queen's Campus, Stockton, TS17 6BH, UK
| | - Alice Theadom
- National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gwyn Lewis
- Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Doug King
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Chazot
- Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Queen's Campus, Stockton, TS17 6BH, UK.,Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Patria Hume
- National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.,Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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7
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Lopez V, Ma R, Weinstein MG, Hume PA, Cantu RC, Victoria C, Queler SC, Webb KJA, Allen AA. United States Under-19 Rugby-7s: Incidence and Nature of Match Injuries During a 5-year Epidemiological Study. SPORTS MEDICINE-OPEN 2020; 6:41. [PMID: 32852666 PMCID: PMC7452962 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-020-00261-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background There is a lack of injury data for the new Olympic sport of Rugby-7s, particularly for involved youth. Objective To determine injury rates and characteristics for players participating in U.S. Rugby-7s U19 (under 19 years of age) tournaments. Methods Injury data were collected, using the Rugby Injury Survey & Evaluation report methodology, at 24 U.S. Rugby-7 s U19 tournaments over 30 tournament days (2010–2014). Tournament medical-attention injuries and time-loss injuries (days absent before return to training/competition including post tournament) were recorded. Results During the 2101 playing hours (3072 males, aged 17.2 ± 1.5 years; 732 females, 16.6 ± 1.3 years of age), there were 173 tournament injuries with an overall injury incidence of 82.4/1000 player-match-hours (ph) (CI 70.5–95.6). Acute injuries (79.5/1000 ph) occurred during tackling (56.2/1000 ph) and involved joints/ligaments (32.8/1000 ph) of lower extremities (31.9/1000 ph). Head and neck injuries, including concussions, were common (males 21.9/1000 ph; females 22.0/1000 ph). Medical-attention injury incidences (49.5/1000 ph; n = 104; 95% CI 40.5–60.0) were higher than time loss (32.8/1000 ph; n = 69; 95% CI 25.5–41.6). Overall, injury incidences found no difference between sex (RR 0.78; p = 0.369). Time-loss injuries resulted in an average of 35.5 d to return to sport. Discussion This study is the first to report match injury incidences for U19 participants in Rugby-7s. Overall, match injury incidence among U.S. U19 Rugby-7s tournaments was similar compared to adult U.S. community Rugby-7s. Recurrent injury risk was notable in this population. Community injury surveillance studies are essential to understand risk from participation in amateur sports. Knowledge of these injury patterns in U19 Rugby-7s will help identify areas to direct resources to enable growth of Rugby-7s in youths and emerging countries being exposed to Rugby-7 s. Age-based injury frequency and patterns in rugby and its various formats are needed for the development of evidence-based, sport-specific, and population-specific injury prevention initiatives. Conclusions The match injury incidence of U19 participants in U.S. Rugby-7s was similar to the incidence among adult participants. Recurrent match injury risk was high at 23%. There were no significant differences in injury incidences between males and females. The first three matches of a tournament day result in the most injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Lopez
- Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, affiliate Hospital for Special Surgery, 118-17 Union Turnpike, Suite 3B, New York, NY, 11375, USA. .,Auckland University of Technology, Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, New Zealand, AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Place, Mairangi Bay, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. .,USA Rugby Empire Geographic Union RFUs, P.O. Box 488, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY, 10274, USA. .,USA Rugby New England Geographic Union RFU, 2193 Commonwealth Ave, Box 364, Brighton, MA, 02135, USA. .,Northeast Rugby Academy, USA Rugby Development Program and USOC-Community Olympic Development Program, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Richard Ma
- Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, affiliate Hospital for Special Surgery, 118-17 Union Turnpike, Suite 3B, New York, NY, 11375, USA.,Auckland University of Technology, Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, New Zealand, AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Place, Mairangi Bay, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.,Northeast Rugby Academy, USA Rugby Development Program and USOC-Community Olympic Development Program, New York, NY, USA.,University of Missouri, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute & Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Meryle G Weinstein
- Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, affiliate Hospital for Special Surgery, 118-17 Union Turnpike, Suite 3B, New York, NY, 11375, USA.,New York University, Department of Applied Statistics, Social Sciences, and Humanities, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patria A Hume
- Auckland University of Technology, Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, New Zealand, AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Place, Mairangi Bay, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Robert C Cantu
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Cantu Concussion Center, Department of Neurosurgery and Sports Medicine, Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, USA.,Neurologic Sports Injury Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Concussion Legacy Foundation, Waltham, MA, USA.,World Rugby, Independent Concussion Group, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Christian Victoria
- Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, affiliate Hospital for Special Surgery, 118-17 Union Turnpike, Suite 3B, New York, NY, 11375, USA.,New York University, College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophie C Queler
- Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, affiliate Hospital for Special Surgery, 118-17 Union Turnpike, Suite 3B, New York, NY, 11375, USA.,Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Khalil J A Webb
- Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, affiliate Hospital for Special Surgery, 118-17 Union Turnpike, Suite 3B, New York, NY, 11375, USA.,University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Answorth A Allen
- Sports Medicine Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.,National Basketball Association, New York Knickerbockers, New York, NY, USA.,USA Basketball, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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