1. Prioritise safety, optimise success! Return to rugby postpartum.
- Author
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Donnelly, GM, Coltman, CE, Dane, K, Elliott‐Sale, KJ, Hayman, M, McCarthy‐Ryan, MF, Perkins, J, Rollins, S, and Moore, IS
- Subjects
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RUGBY football , *RE-entry students , *SAFETY , *BREASTFEEDING , *STEROID receptors , *SPORTS psychology , *LIFESTYLES , *CONTACT sports , *MENTAL health , *BODY mass index , *PUERPERIUM , *SPORTS injuries , *HIGH-intensity interval training , *INDUSTRIAL psychology , *PHYSICAL training & conditioning , *PROFESSIONAL identity , *NUTRITIONAL requirements , *PELVIC floor , *MEDICAL rehabilitation , *PHYSICAL fitness , *VAGINAL discharge , *MASTITIS , *CARDIOVASCULAR fitness , *MUSCLES - Abstract
Pregnancy and childbirth involve substantial physical, physiological and psychological changes. As such, postpartum rugby players should be supported and appropriately prepared to return to the demands of rugby alongside the additional demands of motherhood. This review aims to discuss specific perinatal considerations that inform a rugby player's readiness to return‐to‐sport postpartum and present an approach to rehabilitation. Before engaging in full rugby training and matchplay, postpartum players should have progressed through the initial phases of rehabilitation and graded sports‐specific training to prepare them for the loads they will be exposed to. Additional rehabilitation considerations include minimising deconditioning during pregnancy; medical concerns; the abdominal wall; the pelvic floor; perinatal breast changes, breastfeeding and risk of contact breast injury; body mass; nutritional requirements; hormonal considerations; athlete identity and psychological considerations; joining team training; return to contact and tackle training; evaluating player load tolerance and future research, policy and surveillance needs. A whole‐systems, biopsychosocial approach following an evidence informed return‐to‐sport framework is recommended when rehabilitating postpartum rugby players. Health and exercise professionals are encouraged to use the perinatal‐specific recommendations in this review to guide the development of postpartum rehabilitation protocols and resources. Highlights: Unlike an injury, the postpartum period is a transitional time with unique biopsychosocial considerations, many of which can be anticipated and prepared for during pregnancy.Player education should commence early before they likely transition into motherhood.Before engaging in rugby postpartum, players should progress through the initial phases of a postpartum return‐to‐sport framework to respect tissue healing and prepare for the progressive loads they may be exposed to.Welfare and long‐term player health should focus across the player lifespan and playing level (from girls and community to the elite women's game). It also serves to educate others involved in the women's game (match officials, coaches, fans and family members) regarding key aspects of women's physical and mental well‐being (e.g., pregnancy and postpartum). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2024
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