Head Acceleration Event Exposure in Elite Rugby Union Training: Incidence, Magnitude, and Contextual Factors

Background: Head acceleration events represent a significant concern in contact sports, with accumulating evidence linking repeated head impacts to both acute and long-term neurological consequences. Rugby union, characterized by frequent high-intensity collisions, presents particular challenges for understanding and managing head impact exposure. While match-related head acceleration events have received considerable research attention, training exposure remains comparatively underexplored. Understanding the incidence and magnitude of head acceleration events during different training modalities is essential for developing evidence-based risk mitigation strategies. Methods: This review synthesizes evidence from studies utilizing instrumented mouthguard technology to quantify head acceleration event exposure during elite men's and women's rugby union training. Data collected across multiple seasons from professional clubs are examined, with particular attention to differences between playing positions, training contact levels, and drill types. The influence of protective equipment, specifically padded implements, on head acceleration event incidence is evaluated. Results: Analysis reveals that the average incidence and magnitude of head acceleration events during in-season training weeks are substantially lower than match exposure, with the majority of events occurring at lower acceleration thresholds. Full-contact training produces the highest incidence of head acceleration events for all player groups. Importantly, repetition-based training drills generate two to three times higher head acceleration event incidence compared with game-based training drills. The use of padded implements during repetition-based drills significantly reduces head acceleration event incidence, with reductions of approximately ۵۰% observed across all player groups. Positional differences exist, with forwards generally experiencing higher exposure than backs. Conclusion: Opportunities to materially reduce head acceleration event exposure in training may be more limited than previously assumed, given the relatively low baseline incidence during weekly training. Future research should investigate the relationship between head acceleration event load and injury outcomes, and develop individualized player management strategies based on specific training exposure profiles. Evidence-based modifications to training drill design and equipment use represent promising avenues for risk reduction.

کلیدواژه ها:

Head acceleration events ، Rugby union ، Training ، Instrumented mouthguards ، Concussion ، Contact sport