Despite ongoing developments in head injury protocols, rugby union still faces challenges in achieving accurate, rapid and context-appropriate concussion assessment on-field and at pitch-side, with clinicians often required to make complex decisions using tools that remain imperfect. The purpose of this research is to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences of high-level rugby union healthcare professionals (HCPs) on current head injury assessment protocols. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight HCPs working in rugby union. Following a six-stage, inductive, reflexive thematic analysis, five key themes emerged. Findings reveal that while standardised protocols offer structure to an assessment, clinical judgement remains central to effective diagnosis. Participants expressed cautious optimism towards emerging technologies, including biomarker testing and motor control assessments. This study offers practitioner-informed insights into the nuanced realities of concussion assessment. Furthermore, this work underscores the need for future tools to be evidence-based and adaptable to the real-world context of elite sport.

This study aimed to identify differences in upper-limb coordination by integrating vector coding with joint kinetics across three round-off (RO) techniques to better explain potential injury mechanisms. Twelve female gymnasts performed six trials of each RO technique (Parallel, Reverse, T-shape). The kinematic and kinetic data were collected. All analyses focused on the contact phase of the second hand. Elbow and Wrist joint flexion/extension (EF/E-WF/E) and rotation (EROT-WROT) couplings were assessed using modified vector coding to determine coupling angle (CA) and variability (CAV). Elbow joint adduction/abduction moments (Melbow) and joint power (JPelbow) were calculated using inverse dynamics. Joint kinetics and CA were overlaid on the same plots to visualise how kinetic patterns corresponded with coordination dynamics. Results showed decreased Melbow using the T-shape technique (p < 0.001) with EROT-WROT in-phase, while Reverse and Parallel techniques exhibited anti-phase with increased Melbow (p < 0.001) and lower CAV using Reverse technique. Furthermore, EF/E-WF/E coupling revealed technique-specific control strategies; notably, the T-shape technique exhibited a different transition from anti-phase to in-phase motion, indicating a potentially more effective transfer from JPelbow absorption to generation. The result provides new insights into the underlying mechanism of these differences through integration of coordination analysis with traditional biomechanics.

Collecting an account of practitioners' lived experiences of on-pitch concussion management in football provides real-world insight into areas for improvement, and future research direction. Previous research suggests that healthcare professionals (HCPs) in football are confident with on-pitch concussion recognition; however, some players are still returned to the field to later be removed with a concussion. Objectives:The aim of this study is to understand the on-pitch assessment procedure of HCPs and factors that may influence whether or not a player is removed following a suspected head injury in football based on semistructured interviews. Methods:10 elite-level pitch-side HCPs participated in a semistructured interview. Recorded interview transcripts were analysed via reflexive thematic analysis. This process generated four key themes: time, formalised procedure for identifying concussion, interpretation of behaviour and stakeholder actions. Results:This study provides evidence that HCPs in football feel that they do not have enough time to conduct a thorough concussion assessment. Assessments are currently subjective and rely on the sideline healthcare staff's relationship with the player to determine if they are acting normally. The HCPs value seeing the mechanism of injury and advocate the use of video replays. Temporary concussion substitutes would allow more time for assessment and for the use of assessment tools such as the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool. Conclusions:Based on the current findings, research should focus on developing multimodal testing batteries to detect concussion on-pitch, while football should consider implementing video analysis at all levels and temporary concussion substitutes.

This study examined vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and lower-limb kinematics during drop landings on different gymnastics mat types. Responses were compared between skilled female gymnasts (n = 11) and untrained young females (n = 11). Participants completed six standardized drop landings on a FIG-certified mat, a gymnastics carpet, and three custom-designed mats (TYPE 1–3) varying in layer number and material properties. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected for each trial. A two-way mixed ANOVA examined the effects of mat type and group. Both mat characteristics and participant background significantly influenced landing biomechanics. This included VGRF max , time to VGRF max , peak ankle and knee joint angles, and peak knee angular velocity. The FIG-certified mat produced the lowest peak forces and the longest time to peak. The carpet surface generated the highest peaks and shortest times. Softer mid-layers, as in TYPE 2, were associated with more favourable force profiles. Stiffer constructions transmitted higher loads. Gymnasts exhibited consistent plantarflexed initial contact, reduced knee flexion, and lower knee range of motion across surfaces. This reflects a joint-stiffening strategy likely developed through training. Non-gymnasts adopted deeper, more compliant landings and adjusted more to softer mats. These findings highlight the role of mat structure and user experience in shaping landing biomechanics. The results underscore the importance of biomechanical analysis in landing mat development to enhance safety across skill levels.

Detecting concussion during football games is difficult due to the complexity of the condition. Medical staff may only enter the field to assess players when the injury is recognised by the referee. With no temporary concussion substitutions available, pitch-side testing often depends on medics recognising, or players self-reporting, symptoms. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the literature examining the concussion education, knowledge and attitudes of players, coaches, medics, and officials in association football. A literature search based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science up to 12 January 2024. Papers were ineligible if the outcome of the survey or questionnaire was concussion incidence or over 50% of participants did not play football. A total of 21 studies were included. Of these studies 14 evaluated concussion education,11 evaluated concussion knowledge and 14 evaluated attitudes towards concussion. Study quality was assessed using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tool. Results show that participants who have previously undergone concussion education have greater concussion knowledge. However, concussion attitudes do not appear to improve with increased concussion knowledge. Players are still likely to continue playing while injured in important games. Coaches, and officials have safer attitudes towards concussion than players. Consistency in participant groups and methods used to test knowledge and attitudes was low. All papers included suffer from medium to high risks of bias, therefore the strength of evidence is weak. Published research examining concussion knowledge, attitudes and education in football is limited.

The undersomersault (Felge) is one of the key family of skills on the parallel bars in men's artistic gymnastics. At the highest level of competition, two distinct techniques, termed here 'deep pike' and 'hips close', are used to perform the skill. The aim of the present study was to determine the relative performance benefits of each technique in order to provide coaches with information to facilitate technique selection and gymnast preparation. A combination of kinematic analysis of Olympic performances and technique optimisation using computer simulation modelling was used to address this aim. The kinematic analysis found that both techniques had similar performance outcomes in terms of generating horizontal and vertical velocity at release, confirming that both techniques were fit for purpose. Results from the optimisation study found that the 'deep pike' had an advantage in generating vertical velocity, due to more time to perform work, and being more forgiving in terms of generating a larger release window for acceptable performance, whilst the 'hips close' technique was associated with requiring less effort (sum of joint torques squared). As the 'deep pike' requires more effort and a larger range of hip flexibility, choosing this technique will have implications for gymnast preparation.

We examined the influence of court side and target location of the ball on the coordination and control of the tennis serve. Five male and five female experienced players performed 10 'first-serves' to centre and wide targets. 3D kinematics of the service were analysed from two frames of reference: joint position (v) and joint angle (ω) with emphasis on the qualitative aspects of movement coordination. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed in all service location conditions the first two components accounted for ~80% of the total variance with the external frame of reference (elbow and shoulder v), and internal frame of reference (ω: left and right hip) contributing most to component 1 (~60%). Arm (ω: shoulder, elbow, wrist) contributed (~20%) to component 2. Serving toward the court T centre led to more variables involved in the organization of the motion. Peak mean racket head resultant velocity was similar with each serving condition, but higher in males than females. The PCA showed that the number of components (Functional Dimensions) was less than the number of joint space physical DFs. There was quantitative variation in individual kinematic variables within- and between- players but a common qualitative kinematic structure to the coordination solution.

This study investigated the effects of neck angle on center of mass (CM) stability and joint angle variability in the handstand. Seven experienced female gymnasts performed handstands in extended, neutral, and flexed neck angles. Kinematic data were collected using a 3D motion capture system, and variability was assessed for wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and neck angles and, CM position. The findings showed that the extended neck angle posture exhibited the lowest CM variability, aligning with its prevalent use in practice and competition. Regression analyses revealed that joint angle variability was significantly corelated to CM motion, with the typical extended neck angle related to shoulder, wrist, and neck angle variability contributions (33%, 23%, and 21%, respectively). In contrast, the neutral neck angle was moderately corelated to hip variability (32%), while the flexed neck angle showed a dominant reliance on neck angle variability (63%). The results show the strong role of neck angle in the postural variability of the handstand that is mediated by joint angle variability, visual information and tonic reflex support.

This study aimed to describe the basic coordination patterns and their changes during successful and unsuccessful shooting in floorball among young players. A sample of 10 participants (5 male, 5 female; age 13.5 +/- 0.7 years, height 164.7 +/- 6.1 cm, body mass 54.2 +/- 10.4 kg) was recruited from three floorball clubs. Participants were instructed to shoot accurately at a 0.25 m x 0.25 m target from 4 meters. Kinematic data were captured using 10 motion-analysis cameras, and coordination patterns and variability between head and trunk segments were assessed. Mean coupling angles and their standard deviation were calculated using a modified vector coding technique. A linear mixed model and effect size statistics identified differences between shot accuracy categories. The results showed no statistically significant differences in head and trunk positioning across shooting categories. Coordination analysis indicated that shooting success depends on whether the movement is led by the head or the trunk, with successful shots involving a coupled action between head and trunk movements, dominated by the head, highlighting its crucial role in executing the shooting task.

Combining biomechanics and motor control, the aim of this study was to investigate the limit cycle dynamics during the high bar longswing across the UK elite gymnastics pathway age groupings. Senior, junior and development gymnasts (N = 30) performed three sets of eight consecutive longswings on the high bar. The centre of mass motion was examined through Poincaré plots and recurrence quantification analysis exploring the limit cycle dynamics of the longswing. Close to one-dimensional limit cycles were displayed for the senior (correlation dimension (CD) = 1.17 ± .08), junior (CD = 1.26 ± .08) and development gymnasts (CD = 1.33 ± .14). Senior elite gymnasts displayed increased recurrence characteristics in addition to longer longswing duration (p < .01) and lower radial angular velocity of the mass centre (p < .01). All groups of gymnasts had highly recurrent and predictable limit cycle characteristics. The findings of this research support the postulation that the further practice, experience and individual development associated with the senior gymnasts contribute to the refinement of the longswing from a nonlinear dynamics perspective. These findings support the idea of functional task decomposition informing the understanding of skill and influencing coaches' decisions around skill development and physical preparation.

Aims of this study were to investigate if changes in elbow and wrist joints loading and biomechanical characteristics of performance existed as a function of (a) different hand placement and (b) fundamental skills development in female gymnastics. Ten female gymnasts performed 54 successful trials of round-off skills (cartwheel [18], round-off [18], round-off to back handspring [18]), with three different hand positions (parallel, T-shape and reverse). Kinematic and kinetic data were collected for each trial. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyse the injury risk factors. Findings of the current study showed that an increase in RO skill difficulty level significantly influences the mechanical load on the upper extremities. With the increase in mechanical load on the upper extremities during the reverse and parallel hand positions, this study suggests that that T-shape hand position should be used as the primary technique for the young female. Differences in vertical velocity from touchdown to take-off between the three hand positions for the RO and RO-BH suggested that the reverse position was less effective for young female gymnasts. The findings of the current study demonstrated no clear performance benefits between hand position selection.

Rugby tackles pose significant head injury risks, raising concerns for players' well-being. Despite advocating for lower tackle heights for safety, limited research exists explaining how tackle height influences head characteristics and tackler technique. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two tackle heights, aligned with recent law changes in the community game, on head and joint kinematics for both tackler and the ball carrier. To strengthen ecological validity, innovative techniques were employed, including markerless motion capture and Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), for tracking of the tackler's joint kinematics and head accelerations until ground contact, addressing a key limitation in previous research. Ethical approval was granted by Cardiff Metropolitan University. Ten male participants (mean ± SD age: 22 ± 3 years, stature: 184 ± 10 cm, mean mass: 94 ± 15 kg) alternated between tackler and ball carrier roles, executing upper and lower body tackles. Theia3D markerless motion capture software (Theia3Dv2022.1.0.2309, Theia Markerless, Inc., Kingston, ON, Canada) and Vicon IMeasureU Blue Trident dual-G IMUs measured tackle height's impact on head and joint kinematics. Discrete joint angles at key events and continuous joint angles normalised from 0% at Step 1 to 100% at Contact were exported. Peak head accelerations and continuous normalised head acceleration data were exported. Statistical analyses included a paired t-test for discrete joint angle data and the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test for peak linear and angular accelerations. Cohen’s d and effect sizes were calculated for respective analyses. One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and one-dimensional statistical non-parametric mapping (SnPM) facilitated statistical differences across continuous variables of interest. Significant increases (P < 0.05) were noted in ball carriers' inertial head kinematics in the upper body tackle, while no such distinctions were observed for tacklers. The low tackle condition consistently exhibited substantial reductions in bilateral hip flexion, particularly during contact (Effect size; lead: −1.866; rear: −1.977). Lumbopelvic flexion significantly decreased in each event for the low tackle condition, with the largest effect size during contact (−3.91). These findings underscore the heightened inertial loading with higher tackles, indicating an elevated risk of head injury, despite current tackle height regulations. The adjustments made by the tackler in response to varying tackle heights are not evident in knee flexion. Increased knee flexion during the preparatory phase could alleviate the necessity for such a flexed lumbopelvic angle. This study, utilising innovative techniques, highlights the potential for more ecologically valid approaches to biomechanical research in rugby tackling.

Auxiliary devices are used to train gymnastics skills. Based on the principles of training specificity, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a training device for the static cross posture on Men’s Artistic Gymnastics rings through kinematic analysis. Twelve national team gymnasts were divided into two groups, based on their competitive results: the elite group (age: 21.8±3.2 years) and the international group (age: 19.3±3.3 years) performed the cross three times under both conditions: standard competition rings, and training rings with an auxiliary device. The videos were digitised and analysed with shoulder angles as trunk and arm segments. The variables included the right and the left shoulder angles in the frontal plane, as well as any asymmetry of those angles. Two-way ANOVA (conditions versus groups) and individual t-test statistics were conducted. Both groups performed the cross on training rings with increased abduction at both right (p<0.001) and left (p<0.001) shoulders and reduced asymmetry (p=0.01) than on competition rings. These kinematic improvements would translate into competition-typical score improvements of 0.1 to 0.3 points, and enhanced shoulder joint stability. Hence, the training rings with an auxiliary device effectively replicate skill-specific joint angles, adhering to the kinematics principles of training specificity for the static cross posture on rings, thus benefiting both elite and international-level gymnasts.

This study aimed to increase understanding of the biomechanics and dynamics of the upper limbs during the contact phase of the round-off (RO) performed using three techniques. Twenty female gymnasts performed six successful RO trials in each condition: parallel, T-shape and reverse. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected for each trial. All analyses focused on the contact phase for each hand. Continuous joint profiles examined the dynamics of these tasks as well as the kinetic sequencing. In each case, joint angles, angular velocity, moments and powers at the wrist and elbow joint were reported. Difference between the contact phases of the techniques was examined using a one-way ANOVA SPM. The T-shape technique demonstrated negative power at the wrist during contact; however, the elbow joint compensated with a significantly greater positive power generation during the propulsive phase, suggesting a more effective technique compared to the reduced powers of the reverse and parallel. The order of the peak joint powers during the contact phase, the reverse technique, demonstrated a proximal to distal sequence, in contrast to the distal to proximal for the other techniques. These findings highlight the task-specific coordinative structures during this closed chained action.

Background: Taking part in moderate-to-vigorous exercise in contact sports on a regular basis may be linked to an increase in cerebrovascular injury and head trauma. Validated objective measures are lacking in the initial post-event diagnosis of head injury. The exercise style, duration, and intensity may also confound diagnostic indicators. As a result, we propose that the new Interdisciplinary Group in Movement & Performance from Acute & Chronic Head Trauma (IMPACT) analyze a variety of functional (biomechanical and motor control) tests as well as related biochemistry to see how they are affected by contact in sports and head injury. The study's goal will be to look into the performance and physiological changes in rugby players after a game for head trauma and injury. Methods: This one-of-a-kind study will use a randomized controlled trial (RCT) utilizing a sport participation group and a non-participation control group. Forty male rugby 7 s players will be recruited for the study and allocated randomly to the experimental groups. The intervention group will participate in three straight rugby matches during a local 7 s rugby event. At the pre-match baseline, demographic and anthropometric data will be collected. This will be followed by the pre-match baseline collection of biochemical, biomechanical, and cognitive-motor task data. After three consecutive matches, the same measures will be taken. During each match, a notational analysis will be undertaken to obtain contact information. All measurements will be taken again 24, 48, and 72 h after the third match. Discussion: When the number of games increases owing to weariness and/or stressful circumstances, we expect a decline in body movement, coordination, and cognitive-motor tasks. Changes in blood biochemistry are expected to correspond to changes in biomechanics and cognitive-motor processes. This research proposal will generate considerable, ecologically valid data on the occurrence of head trauma events under game conditions, as well as the influence of these events on the biological systems of the performers. This will lead to a greater understanding of how sports participants react to exercise-induced injuries. This study's scope will have far-reaching ramifications for doctors, coaches, managers, scientists, and sports regulatory bodies concerned with the health and well-being of athletic populations at all levels of competition, including all genders and ages.

This study investigated the short-term responses of step characteristics in sprinters and team-sports players under different bend conditions. Eight participants from each group completed 80 m sprints in four conditions: banked and flat, in lanes two and four (L2B, L4B, L2F, L4F). Groups showed similar changes in step velocity (SV) across conditions and limbs. However, sprinters produced significantly shorter ground contact times (GCT) than team sports players in L2B and L4B for both left (0.123 s vs 0.145 s and 0.123 s vs 0.140 s) and right steps (0.115 s vs 0.136 s and 0.120 s vs 0.141 s) (p > 0.001-0.029; ES = 1.15-1.37). Across both groups, SV was generally lower in flat conditions compared to banked (Left: 7.21 m/s vs 6.82 m/s and Right: 7.31 m/s vs 7.09 m/s in lane two), occurring due to reduced step length (SL) rather than step frequency (SF), suggesting that banking improves SV via increased SL. Sprinters produced significantly shorter GCT in banked conditions that led to non-significant increases in SF and SV, highlighting the importance of bend sprinting specific conditioning and training environments representative of indoor competition for sprint athletes.

Chronological age classifies elite male gymnasts into developmental performance classifications: senior (18+ years), junior (14-18 years) and development (8-14 years). Here, we examine the influence of age and experience on the biomechanics of the high bar longswing across classifications. Joint angular kinematics and kinetics were obtained from 30 gymnasts performing three sets each of eight consecutive longswings. Differences between groups and relations between age, experience and key biomechanical variables were correlated. Kinetic variables and range of motion of the hip and knee were highest for development gymnasts. In all age groups, a dominant shoulder kinetic contribution was found, although circle location of the peak joint kinetics occurred earliest for junior gymnasts. Hip work contributed more prominently in development gymnasts. Age and experience were positively correlated to an increase in peak shoulder moments and powers and negatively correlated to peak hip and knee moments. The findings reveal that age and experience combine to influence the functional phase, joint kinematics and relative joint kinetic contribution, particularly with the senior group demonstrating a shoulder dominant technique. Changes in musculoskeletal loading across the age groups suggest that factors such as relative strength and practice may have influenced this joint mode transition of the longswing.

Single arm blocking is a key component of successful basketball defence. The player uses either their dominant or non-dominant arm to block the ball landing on a common leg. Understanding how the bio-physical loads of the landing leg change as a function of the blocking arm will provide insights into potential injury risk of the lower limb. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of arm dominance on the biomechanical variables of injury risk of the lower limb, specifically the knee joint during the single-leg landing in female basketball players. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected from fourteen female basketball athletes (20.85 ± 1.35 years, 1.69 ± 0.06 m, 60.37 ± 7.75 kg), each performing three trials of a dominant arm and non-dominant block jump landing on the dominant leg. The results showed significantly higher anterior and medial ground reaction force, knee joint flexion and abduction and lateral knee force during the dominant arm landing (p < 0.05). These findings highlight potential injury risk and the need for the player to be more proficient at dominant arm block-shot landing. The player should aim to develop a larger landscape of technique to meet the demands of the game and facilitate a more effective and safer landing strategy.

The preservation of static balance in both upright- and hand-stance is maintained by the projection of center of mass (CM) motion within the region of stability at the respective base of support. This study investigated, from a degrees of freedom (DF) perspective, whether the stability of the CM in both upright- and hand-stances was predicted by the respective dispersion and time-dependent regularity of joint (upright stance—ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neck; hand stance—wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck) angle and position. Full body three-dimensional (3D) kinematic data were collected on 10 advanced level junior female gymnasts during 30 s floor upright- and hand-stands. For both stances the amount of the dispersion of joint angle and sway motion was higher than that of the CM and center of pressure (CP) with an inverse relation to time-dependent irregularity (SampEn). In upright-standing the variability of neck motion in the anterior–posterior direction was significantly greater than that of most joints consistent with the role of vision in the control of quiet upright posture. The findings support the proposition that there are both task specific and general properties to the global CM control strategy in the balance of upright- and hand-standing induced by the different active skeletal-muscular organization and the degeneracy revealed in the multiple distributional variability patterns of the joint angle and position in 3D.

BACKGROUND:Greater neck strength is associated with fewer head and neck injuries. Neck-strengthening programs are commonly burdensome, requiring specialist equipment or significant time commitment, which are barriers to implementation.HYPOTHESIS:Completing a neck-strengthening program will increase isometric neck strength in age-group rugby players.STUDY DESIGN:A pilot randomized controlled exercise intervention study.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Level 2.METHODS:Twenty-eight U18 (under 18) male regional age-group rugby union players were randomized (intervention n =15/control n = 13). An 8-week exercise program was supervised during preseason at the regional training center. Control players continued their "normal practice," which did not include neck-specific strengthening exercises. The 3-times weekly trainer-led intervention program involved a series of 15-second self-resisted contractions, where players pushed maximally against their own head, in forward, backward, left, and right directions.OUTCOME MEASURE:Peak isometric neck strength (force N) into neck flexion, extension, and left and right side flexion was measured using a handheld dynamometer.RESULTS:Postintervention between-group mean differences (MDs) in isometric neck strength change were adjusted for baseline strength and favored the intervention for total neck strength (effect size [ES] = 1.2, MD ± 95% CI = 155.9 ± 101.9 N, P = 0.004) and for neck strength into extension (ES = 1.0, MD ± 95% CI = 59.9 ± 45.4 N, P = 0.01), left side flexion (ES = 0.7, MD ± 95% CI = 27.5 ± 26.9 N, P = 0.05), and right side flexion (ES = 1.3, MD ± 95% CI = 50.5 ± 34.4 N, P = 0.006).CONCLUSION:This resource-efficient neck-strengthening program has few barriers to implementation and provides a clear benefit in U18 players' neck strength. While the present study focused on adolescent rugby players, the program may be appropriate across all sports where head and neck injuries are of concern and resources are limited.CLINICAL RELEVANCE:Greater neck strength is associated with fewer head and neck injuries, including concussion. Performing this neck exercise program independently, or as part of a whole-body program like Activate, an interactive guide for players and coaches, could contribute to lower sports-related head and neck injuries.