Health, New Zealand (Commonwealth Union) – Sir Bill Beaumont, Chairman of World Rugby, has expressed his enthusiasm for the results of the most extensive research ever conducted on the forces encountered by rugby players. These groundbreaking findings, which offer unprecedented clarity and confidence to both players and parents regarding the advantages and safety of rugby, mark a pioneering milestone in the realm of global sports.
The Otago Community Head Impact Detection study (ORCHID), a collaborative initiative involving World Rugby, Prevent Biometrics, New Zealand Rugby, Otago Rugby, and the University of Otago, has unveiled the initial independent, peer-reviewed outcomes of its research into community rugby after nearly two years of trailblazing investigations. The study encompassed the analysis of more than 17,000 distinct head acceleration events involving over 300 players, ranging from senior rugby to U13s level.
Subsequently, an Elite Extension of the ORCHID study was conducted in conjunction with Ulster University and Premiership Rugby. Updates pertaining to the women’s community game are presently in preparation for peer review and publication.
Both of these studies harnessed smart mouthguard technology provided by Prevent Biometrics to comprehensively assess the forces exerted on players’ heads during matches and training sessions. These mouthguards measured g-forces that occurred within a fraction of the time it takes to blink, utilizing technology that had undergone independent verification in research laboratories as well as on the actual playing field.
World Rugby has already employed initial insights from the ORCHID study to influence trials aimed at reducing the tackle height in community-level rugby. Additionally, the international governing body has expanded and enriched the array of free online training resources accessible to players and coaches, including the Tackle Ready and innovative Breakdown Ready programs.
Furthermore, in an unprecedented move at the elite level, World Rugby has recently announced that smart mouthguards will be incorporated into the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocols starting in January 2024. This represents a pioneering step toward enhancing player safety and well-being.
Dr. Melanie Bussey, who holds the position of Associate Professor in Biomechanics at the University of Otago, emphasized that the primary objective of their research endeavors is to affect a substantial and positive influence. Consequently, they are greatly gratified to witness the integration of their research findings into fresh strategies and recommendations aimed at elevating player safety. Dr. Bussey conveyed their gratitude for World Rugby’s approach, which afforded them the necessary time to ensure the rigor and reliability of their analysis and allowed the data to convey its own meaningful insights.
“Looking ahead, we believe that Smart mouthguard technology holds immense potential for advancing player safety and performance analysis in rugby and beyond. Our research has opened doors to a wealth of insights, and we are committed to further exploring this innovative field. We envision continued collaboration with World Rugby and other stakeholders to harness the full potential of this technology, driving advancements that will benefit players and the sport as a whole. The journey has just begun, and we are excited to embark on it.”
Sir Bill Beaumont, Chairman of World Rugby, expressed his approval of the world-leading study, underlining that the application of cutting-edge research and technology stands as a core element within their six-point plan to position rugby as the most forward-thinking sport globally with regard to player welfare. These studies provide solid evidence that World Rugby is dedicated to translating their words into action. The valuable insights acquired from these studies are already facilitating the implementation of evidence-based initiatives to enhance the safety of the sport. It is clear that World Rugby remains unwavering in their commitment to advancing player welfare and will continuously strive to do so.
