Study: Rugby-style tackling may have lower force of impact than football style

July 17, 2019 / FootballSports Medicine
From the American Academy of Neurology

The style of tackling used in rugby may be associated with a lower force of impact than the style used in football, according to a preliminary study of college athletes released Tuesday. The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Sports Concussion Conference this month in Indianapolis.

rugby action“For athletes who participate in a sport that involves a tackle or direct contact, adapting a rugby-style tackle where the players lead with their shoulders, not their heads, could make college sports safer,” said study author Zach Garrett, DHS, of Marshall University in West Virginia. “A small number of NFL teams have incorporated the rugby-style tackle in an effort to reduce risk of concussion.”

The study measured impact data from 30 male university athletes during spring practices. Twenty of the participants were football players who had impact sensors placed in their helmets. Ten of the participants were rugby players who had mouthguards with sensors inserted into them.

At the end of the practice season, the football participants totaled 3,921 impacts over the course of 12 practices. Rugby participants registered 1,868 impacts over nine practices. After researchers adjusted for other factors — false impacts, different sample sizes, practices — they found that the frequency of impacts was lower for rugby players. They also found that the sensors recorded lower impact forces to the head in rugby in comparison to football.

   » RELATED: Study: Tackle football should wait until high school

Impact was measured in g-force, which is the measurement of gravity described in units of acceleration. Overall the rugby players had impacts with an average of 21 g-force. Football players had impacts with an average of 63 g-force.

“Further studies with larger numbers of participants are needed to confirm these results and also to determine whether using a rugby-style tackle could effectively reduce the force of impact and potentially reduce the number or severity of concussions in college football,” said Garrett.

To learn about the AAN’s Sports Concussion Guidelines and resources, visit AAN.com/concussion.


Leave a Reply