Doug A King1, Patria A Hume2, Conor Gissane3, David C Kieser4, Trevor N Clark5. 1. Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. Electronic address: dking@aut.ac.nz. 2. Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. 3. School of Sport Health and Applied Science, St. Mary's University, United Kingdom. 4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. 5. Australian College of Physical Education, Faculty of Human Performance, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To quantify the magnitude, frequency, duration and distribution of head impact exposure in a women's rugby league competition. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Twenty-one players had a wireless impact measuring device (X2Biosystems XPatch) behind their right ear during match participation. Head impact data were collected and downloaded for analysis. Median peak linear and rotational accelerations and impact locations between player positions were assessed using a Friedman repeated measures ANOVA on ranks with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test for post hoc analysis with a Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: A total of 1659 impacts to the head >10g were recorded (range 10g-91g) over the nine competition matches. There was a mean of 184±18 impacts per-match resulting in a mean of 14±12 impacts per-player per-match. The No. 8 prop recorded a mean of 29±27 impacts per-match, the No. 12 second-row forward recorded the highest median peak resultant linear acceleration (16g) per-match and the No. 11 second-row forward recorded the highest median peak resultant rotational acceleration (3696rad/s2). CONCLUSIONS: Our cohort of 21 female rugby league athletes were exposed to repetitive sub-concussive head impact exposure with an average of 14 impacts per-player per-match. Forwards were exposed to more impacts per-match than backs and these impacts were of higher magnitude. Most impacts occurred on the side of the head and were sustained during the second half of the game. Clinicians, coaches and players should be aware of the rates and magnitude of head impacts in female rugby league athletes.
OBJECTIVES: To quantify the magnitude, frequency, duration and distribution of head impact exposure in a women's rugby league competition. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Twenty-one players had a wireless impact measuring device (X2Biosystems XPatch) behind their right ear during match participation. Head impact data were collected and downloaded for analysis. Median peak linear and rotational accelerations and impact locations between player positions were assessed using a Friedman repeated measures ANOVA on ranks with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test for post hoc analysis with a Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: A total of 1659 impacts to the head >10g were recorded (range 10g-91g) over the nine competition matches. There was a mean of 184±18 impacts per-match resulting in a mean of 14±12 impacts per-player per-match. The No. 8 prop recorded a mean of 29±27 impacts per-match, the No. 12 second-row forward recorded the highest median peak resultant linear acceleration (16g) per-match and the No. 11 second-row forward recorded the highest median peak resultant rotational acceleration (3696rad/s2). CONCLUSIONS: Our cohort of 21 female rugby league athletes were exposed to repetitive sub-concussive head impact exposure with an average of 14 impacts per-player per-match. Forwards were exposed to more impacts per-match than backs and these impacts were of higher magnitude. Most impacts occurred on the side of the head and were sustained during the second half of the game. Clinicians, coaches and players should be aware of the rates and magnitude of head impacts in female rugby league athletes.
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