The application of match-event and instrumented mouthguard data to inform match limits: An example using rugby union Premiership and rugby league Super League data from England

Abstract

The study aimed to illustrate how contact (from match-event data) and head acceleration event (HAE) (from instrumented mouthguard [iMG]) data can be combined to inform match limits within rugby. Match-event data from one rugby union and rugby league season, including all competitive matches involving players from the English Premiership and Super League, were used. Playing exposure was summarised as full game equivalents (FGE; total minutes played/80). Expected contact and HAE exposures at arbitrary thresholds were estimated using match-event and iMG data. Generalised linear models were used to identify differences in contact and HAE exposure per FGE. For 30 FGEs, forwards had greater contact than backs in rugby union (n = 1272 vs. 618) and league (n = 1569 vs. 706). As HAE magnitude increased, the differences between positional groups decreased (e.g., rugby union; n = 34 and 22 HAE >40 g for forwards and backs playing 30 FGEs). Currently, only a relatively small proportion of rugby union (2.5%) and league (7.3%) players exceeded 25 FGEs. Estimating contact and HAEs per FGE allows policymakers to prospectively plan and model estimated overall and position-specific loads over a season and longer term. Reducing FGE limits by a small amount would currently only affect contact and HAE exposure for a small proportion of players who complete the most minutes. This may be beneficial for this cohort but is not an effective HAE and contact exposure reduction strategy at a population level, which requires individual player management. Given the positional differences, FGE limits should exist to manage appropriate HAE and contact exposure.