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The propensity of non-concussive and concussive head contacts during elite-level women's rugby league matches : A prospective analysis of over 14,000 tackle events
Spiegelhalter, Mily Scantlebury, Sean Omar, Heyward Hendricks, Sharief Cummins, Cloe Gardner, Andrew J. Halkier, Matt McLeod, Shreya Phillips, Gemma Owen, Cameron
Spiegelhalter, Mily
Scantlebury, Sean
Omar, Heyward
Hendricks, Sharief
Cummins, Cloe
Gardner, Andrew J.
Halkier, Matt
McLeod, Shreya
Phillips, Gemma
Owen, Cameron
Abstract
Objectives
Identify the frequency, propensity, and factors related to tackle events which result in contact with the head in elite-level women's rugby league.
Design
Prospective video analysis study.
Methods
Video footage from 59 Women's Super League matches were analysed (n = 14,378 tackle events). All tackle events were coded as no head contact or head contact. Other independent variables included: area contacting head, impacted player, concussion outcome, penalty outcome, round of competition, time in match and team standard.
Results
There were 83.0 ± 20.0 (propensity 304.0/1000 tackle events) head contacts per match. The propensity of head contact was significantly greater for the tackler than ball-carrier (178.5 vs. 125.7/1000 tackle events; incident rate ratio 1.42, 95 % confidence interval 1.34 to 1.50). Head contacts occurring from an arm, shoulder, and head occurred significantly more than any other contact type. The propensity of concussions was 2.7/1000 head contacts. There was no significant influence of team standard or time in match on the propensity of head contacts.
Conclusions
The observed head contacts can inform interventions, primarily focusing on the tackler not contacting the ball-carrier's head. The tackler's head should also be appropriately positioned to avoid contact with the ball-carrier's knee (highest propensity for concussion). The findings are consistent with other research in men's rugby. Law modifications and/or enforcement (reducing the number of un-penalised head contacts), concurrent with coaching interventions (optimising head placement or reducing the head being contacted) may help minimise head contact risk factors for women's rugby league.
Keywords
injury, female, contact sport
Date
2023
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Book
Volume
26
Issue
3
Page Range
195-201
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File Access
Open