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Objective: To explore youth Rugby Union coaches' preferences for education and support in the implementation of injury prevention programmes (IPPs)., Methods: Twelve Rugby Union coaches involved with youth teams participated in five online focus groups. Conventional content analysis was used to determine preferences initially from transcripts, and thereafter main categories, generic categories and sub-categories., Results: Coach preferences were organised into three main categories: 'formal/non-formal learning', 'informal learning', and 'intrapersonal considerations'. The generic categories of 'logistics', 'content' and 'resources' featured substantially in coach preferences for education. Coaches prefer live structured group workshops in the pre-season period, which focus on the development of implicit knowledge. To do this, coaches prefer practical opportunities for coaching within the education session. In support of this education, coaches want resources (both physical and video) which assist in session planning., Conclusions: The preferences of youth Rugby Union coaches towards IPP education and support are similar to that of other coaching domains. A live practical workshop held in the pre-season is preferred, although facilitator preferences varied. A mismatch is evident between coach preferences for IPP education and what is currently being offered through NGB coach education therefore further exploration of NGB perspectives is warranted., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing interest Authors declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Objectives: To explore the differences and correlations in the Y-Balance Test (YBT) scores, ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion (ADF ROM ), single-leg drop jump (SLDJ) and single-leg hop for distance (SLHD) in amateur male rugby players by playing positions and limb dominance., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Argentinian amateur rugby club., Participants: Male (n = 58) senior amateur rugby players., Main Outcome Measures: ADF ROM , YBT (anterior [AN] , posteromedial, posterolateral, and composite [COM] ), SLDJ and SLHD performances., Results: Forwards demonstrated different anthropometric traits than backs (p < 0.001 to 0.003; ES: -0.508 to -1.331), whereas the latter attained better jump performance (p < 0.001-0.05; ES: 0.297-1.349) and YBT COM scores compared to the former, irrespective of limb dominance (p: 0.007-0.034; ES: 0.569-0.730). With regards to the associations, forwards' BMI (rho: -0.35 to -0.52, ES: 0.184) and ADF ROM values (rho: 0.41 to 0.53, ES: 0.184; r: 0.43 to 0.50, ES: 0.184) were associated to jump performance among both limbs. In contrast, for the backs, leg length was associated with SLHD (rho: 0.42-0.45, ES: 0.214) and YBT COM (rho: -0.67 to -0.76, ES: 0.215). Likewise, ADF ROM values (r: 0.44-0.56, ES: 0.185) were moderately associated to YBT AN in both limbs., Conclusions: Backs attained better dynamic balance, wider ADF ROM , and better unilateral vertical and horizontal jumps performances in dominant and non-dominant limb, compared to forwards. Additionally, ADF ROM maybe an important aspect to consider when aiming to improve balance and jump performance among forwards and backs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To analyse match and training injury incidence rates and burden from pre-(2019) and post-COVID-19 (2021) seasons; To analyse injury related variables as mechanisms, type, body locations, severity and the differences of the most common injuries according to playing positions., Design: An observational study was performed according to the consensus statement on injury definitions and data collection from World Rugby. Injury variables were collected retrospectively for 2019 season and prospectively during 2021 season., Setting: Argentinian amateur rugby club., Participants: Male (n = 110) senior amateur rugby players., Main Outcome Measures: Match and training time loss injuries, time of exposures and injury related variables., Results: Training incidence rate during post-lockdown season (4.2/1000 player-training-hours) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the pre-lockdown season (0.9/1000 player match hours). Post-lockdown hamstring strain injury (HSI) and concussions match incidence rates were significantly (p < 0.001; p < 0.05 respectively) higher in comparison with 2019 season. Regarding playing positions, backs showed a significantly increase (p < 0.05) in HSI match incidence rate post lockdown., Conclusions: After the COVID-19 lockdown, training incidence rate was significantly higher than previous season (2019), showing the impact of the lockdown restrictions. Coaches and medical staff must consider that players probably need more lead-in time for conditioning and more monitoring after periods of no rugby., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To ascertain the extent of injury surveillance and prevention practices currently in operation and the availability of qualified personnel across Rugby playing schools in the Republic of Ireland., Design: Cross-sectional survey design., Setting: Rugby playing schools across Ireland., Participants: The Rugby games master, head Rugby coach or teacher/coach with knowledge of all Rugby activities in the school., Results: Ninety-three Rugby playing schools responded and reported 356 (97% male, 3% female) school Rugby teams. Rugby injuries were formally monitored in 86% of schools. Injury recorders were primarily coaches (61%). Physiotherapy provision was available in 28% of schools, 14% of schools provided access to a medical doctor and 44% of schools provided access to an S&C coach. Structured warm-ups were undertaken in 66% of schools, weekly gym sessions in 49% of schools and 31% of schools did not implement any formal injury prevention measures., Conclusions: Injury monitoring practices, medical personnel accessibility and the frequency of injury prevention practices varies considerably across Rugby playing schools in Ireland. Future injury surveillance and prevention systems should be suitable for use by non-medical personnel and reflect the structural organisation of the school Rugby game so that data are not solely representative of the elite, well-resourced schools., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To investigate factors associated with injury in amateur male and female rugby union players., Design: A prospective cohort study., Setting: Amateur rugby clubs in Ireland., Participants: Male (n = 113) and female (n = 24) amateur rugby union players from 5 of the top 58 amateur clubs in Ireland., Main Outcome Measures: Pre-season testing included physical tests assessing hamstring flexibility, dorsiflexion range of movement, adductor muscle strength and foot position. Wellness questionnaires assessed sleep quality (PSQI), coping skills (ACSI-28) and support levels (PASS-Q). Players were monitored throughout the season for injury., Results: The time-loss match injury incidence rate was 48.2/1000 player hours for males and 45.2/1000 player hours for females. Two risk profiles emerged involving; 'age + navicular drop + training pitch surface' (53%) and 'age + navicular drop + groin strength' (16%). An inverse relationship between groin strength and groin injury was found for the 'backs' players (-0.307, p < 0.05). Using the PSQI, 61% of players had poor sleep quality, however no relationship between the wellness questionnaires and injury was found., Conclusion: Two injury risk profiles emerged, associated with subsequent injury occurrence. Using these risk profiles, individualized prevention strategies may be designed regarding deficits in groin muscle strength and identifying foot alignment., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To describe the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive injury surveillance system., Design: The four phases; i) A survey of 58 medical professionals working in amateur rugby. ii) The design of a web-based injury surveillance system (IRISweb). iii) Recruitment of 21 of the top 58 amateur clubs to use IRISweb. iv) An evaluation survey of the 21 participating clubs., Setting: Irish amateur rugby clubs., Participants: Medical professionals working in amateur rugby., Main Outcome Measures: Phase one investigated the injury monitoring practices in operation prior to the IRIS project. Phase four investigated the effectiveness and usefulness of IRISweb., Results: Twenty-one clubs were recruited, however 2 clubs failed to provide a full season of data (10% dropout rate). Eighty-two percent of the remaining 19 clubs rated IRISweb as 'good' or 'very good'. Facilitators of injury surveillance were; increased player adherence (65%) and notifications to update the system (59%), however, poor player adherence (71%) and medical staff availability (24%) were the main barriers., Conclusions: The IRIS project is the first prospective long-term injury surveillance system in Irish amateur rugby, effectively tracking injuries to guide future evidence-based injury prevention strategies. This study highlights facilitators and barriers to injury surveillance within amateur sport., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To ascertain current injury surveillance and player education practices in Irish amateur rugby union., Design: Cross-sectional survey., Setting: Amateur rugby clubs in Ireland., Participants: Medical professionals and rugby coaches of the top 58 amateur rugby clubs in Ireland., Main Outcome Measures: The survey investigated the current injury and training load monitoring practices in operation in Irish amateur rugby. It also explored whether player education sessions regarding injury prevention and concussion recognition and management were conducted in these clubs., Results: Forty-four clubs completed the survey, giving an overall response rate of 76%. Ninety-one percent of the responding clubs monitored injuries. Sixty-four percent of these clubs operated return to play protocols for all injuries, while 36% operated return to play protocols for concussion only. Injury prevention education was conducted by 71% of these clubs and 82% educated players on concussion recognition and management., Conclusions: Implementing effective injury monitoring strategies in both amateur and professional sport settings may aid in minimizing injury risk. In Ireland, 91% of the responding clubs monitored injuries and 71% educated players on injury prevention. By implementing one centralized injury surveillance system for Irish amateur rugby, injury trends can be effectively monitored and used to guide prevention strategies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)