Tackling head injuries: Data from smart mouthguards could help identify protective strategies

World Rugby started integrating smart mouthguard technology into their head injury assessment (HIA)  protocols from the beginning of the year.

As John Maytham remarks, it's been a topic of discussion for test commentators, sometimes with a measure of disapproval.

The Rugby Union governing body  now requires the use of smart mouthguards in training as well as matches, 'enabling coaches to better tailor drills, tackle skills and training load for each individual player, and best support their performance and welfare'.

Maytham finds out about the kind of data this tech is delivering from sports scientist Dr Ross Tucker, research consultant for World Rugby.

Dr Tucker ascribes the bit of pushback there's been to the fact that the use of smart mouthguards adds another way that a player can be taken off the field.

"An alert can be received by the medical staff, and sometimes the player doesn't even necessarily know that they've had that big bang to the head and there's a lot of confusion."

Dr Ross Tucker, Sports Scientist - World Rugby

He says the data they've worked with so far shows that there's a big individual difference between how much head load, or 'brain strain', different players experience.

"If we can understand that, then we can start to target specific strategies used by players who are either protected, or more vulnerable to this." 

"We think a big part of it is tackle technique, and ball carrying technique."

Dr Ross Tucker, Sports Scientist - World Rugby

Tucker explained that while there has been player pushback about wearing the guards, about 1 in 10 professional players are wearing them. 

He adds that some resistance comes from those who, for medical reasons, find it challenging to wear the mouthguard. Plans are underway to design a smaller retainer that will incorporate the chip.

Another interesting finding is that while women players are less likely to experience head accelerations, they are more likely to experience concussions.

"I hope smart mouthguards become a coaching tool over the course of the next year or so, as the coaches become more familiar and accepting of them." 

Dr Ross Tucker, Sports Scientist - World Rugby

To hear more from Dr Tucker, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article