Out today in @BJSM_BMJ #HotOffThePress

The relationships between rugby union, and health and well-being: a scoping review https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏉" title="Rugbyball" aria-label="Emoji: Rugbyball">

A Thread - please feel free to share! #RugbyAndHealth

1/n
Why do this study?

Majority of research has focused on link between rugby and injuries/concussion, with no & #39;big-picture& #39; scientific overview of the potential relationships between rugby, and health and wellbeing

#RugbyAndHealth
We wanted to provide this overview so that players/parents etc could make evidence-informed decisions around participation, and to identify key areas where research is needed that would provide insights in the future

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Also, given that physical inactivity is one of the biggest health problems our our time, and sport is considered an ‘underused yet important’ contributor to #PhysicalActivity and health by the @WHO, we also wanted to know where rugby fit in...

#RugbyAndHealth
So we decided to undertake a scoping review - a type of study that is broad in nature and frequently used to & #39;map out& #39; research areas. We followed gold-standard frameworks and published our protocol in @BMJOpenSEM as per best practice

https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000593">https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/5...
The #ScopingReview formed part of my PhD programme at @UoE_PAHRC with @s_fawkner & @narrowboat_paul as supervisors

We also had input from @EnglandRugby and @Scotlandteam via @drsimonkemp @drkeithstokes @docandrewmurray
The #ScopingReview formed part of my PhD programme at @UoE_PAHRC with @s_fawkner & @narrowboat_paul as supervisorsWe also had input from @EnglandRugby and @Scotlandteam via @drsimonkemp @drkeithstokes @docandrewmurray
The #ScopingReview formed part of my PhD programme at @UoE_PAHRC with @s_fawkner & @narrowboat_paul as supervisorsWe also had input from @EnglandRugby and @Scotlandteam via @drsimonkemp @drkeithstokes @docandrewmurray
The #ScopingReview formed part of my PhD programme at @UoE_PAHRC with @s_fawkner & @narrowboat_paul as supervisorsWe also had input from @EnglandRugby and @Scotlandteam via @drsimonkemp @drkeithstokes @docandrewmurray
Using a broad strategy, we found >6600 studies, of which 198 met the eligibility criteria. We found that studies fell into 5 themes:

Physical Activity; Physical Health; Mental Health; Wellbeing and Injuries (Systematic Reviews only) #RugbyAndHealth
Using a broad strategy, we found >6600 studies, of which 198 met the eligibility criteria. We found that studies fell into 5 themes:Physical Activity; Physical Health; Mental Health; Wellbeing and Injuries (Systematic Reviews only) #RugbyAndHealth
Using a broad strategy, we found >6600 studies, of which 198 met the eligibility criteria. We found that studies fell into 5 themes:Physical Activity; Physical Health; Mental Health; Wellbeing and Injuries (Systematic Reviews only) #RugbyAndHealth
In terms of physical activity, data suggests all forms of rugby union can provide health enhancing physical activity

Rugby may also play a role in providing muscle/bone health benefits, and in improving balance & coordination, though research needed here

#RugbyAndHealth
In terms of physical activity, data suggests all forms of rugby union can provide health enhancing physical activityRugby may also play a role in providing muscle/bone health benefits, and in improving balance & coordination, though research needed here #RugbyAndHealth
In terms of physical activity, data suggests all forms of rugby union can provide health enhancing physical activityRugby may also play a role in providing muscle/bone health benefits, and in improving balance & coordination, though research needed here #RugbyAndHealth
In terms of physical health:

1: CONTACT Rugby

Strong evidence that https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> rates of OA & MSK issues
? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> function in some cognitive domains (big picture unclear overall)
Some studies show reduction in cardio-metabolic risk factors, but overall mixed picture and https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> research needed
NON-CONTACT rugby:

Consistent evidence that https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">in cardio-metabolic risk factors, across various populations https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">

No evidence found in regard to cognitive or musculoskeletal health/function

#RugbyAndHealth
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY:

Participation linked to wide range of physical health benefits - https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> rates of atherosclerosis, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">total body fat mass, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> cognitive & pulmonary function

#RugbyAndHealth
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY: Participation linked to wide range of physical health benefits - https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable= rates of atherosclerosis, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">total body fat mass, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> cognitive & pulmonary function #RugbyAndHealth" title="WHEELCHAIR RUGBY: Participation linked to wide range of physical health benefits - https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> rates of atherosclerosis, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">total body fat mass, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> cognitive & pulmonary function #RugbyAndHealth" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
In terms of mental health:

Contact rugby: data only in elite populations where https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> reporting of symptoms of common mental disorders (anxiety & depression) compared to general population (though looks similar to elite athletes in other sports)

#RugbyAndHealth
Non-contact rugby: no data
Wheelchair rugby: https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> depressive symptomology & stress

#RugbyAndHealth
When it comes to general & #39;wellbeing& #39; (looking at some wider psychosocial outcome measures):

Main take-home is that seemingly ++ benefits to wheelchair rugby (as seen in picture below)

#RugbyAndHealth
For contact rugby (no data in non-contact though potential crossover):

Rugby helps people stay mentally & physically active
Provides friendship & belonging
Players believe rugby provides them with positive benefits, such as https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> fitness, confidence and strength

#RugbyAndHealth
In terms of injuries/concussions: main take-home (not sure this is news!) is that injury and concussion incidence rates https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben"> for contact rugby union relative to other sports (especially at elite level)

#RugbyAndHealth
So, to tie it all together, what does this add?

#RugbyAndHealth
And, where do we go next? We& #39;re looking forward to continuing our work in this area, and have identified a few key research priorities that will inform our next steps

#RugbyAndHealth
But in the meantime, we hope our latest study helps the likes of players & parents etc with data to allow them to make informed decisions around participation.

Similarly, hopefully it provides NGBs with data to help inform policy & practice https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👊" title="Fisted hand" aria-label="Emoji: Fisted hand">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏉" title="Rugbyball" aria-label="Emoji: Rugbyball">

#RugbyAndHealth
Thanks for reading, and please do share across your channels. We have created some resources that summarises the research, and will be sharing news & updates on our website https://rugbyhealthandwellbeing.com/ ">https://rugbyhealthandwellbeing.com/">... and on @RugbyAndHealth
Thanks for reading, and please do share across your channels. We have created some resources that summarises the research, and will be sharing news & updates on our website https://rugbyhealthandwellbeing.com/
Thanks for reading, and please do share across your channels. We have created some resources that summarises the research, and will be sharing news & updates on our website https://rugbyhealthandwellbeing.com/
Thanks for reading, and please do share across your channels. We have created some resources that summarises the research, and will be sharing news & updates on our website https://rugbyhealthandwellbeing.com/
Thanks for reading, and please do share across your channels. We have created some resources that summarises the research, and will be sharing news & updates on our website https://rugbyhealthandwellbeing.com/
If videos are more your things, then please consider sharing this animation kindly put together by @JenniferDunca10

#RugbyAndHealth
A huge thanks go to my @UoE_PAHRC supervisors @s_fawkner @narrowboat_paul for their expertise and for their patience, advice and support in general

To @docandrewmurray for inspiration, advocacy and for the lighting the PhD & #39;flame& #39; with @KarimKhan_IMHA

#RugbyAndHealth
And finally to @drsimonkemp @drkeithstokes (and everyone else in the Medical Services dept @EnglandRugby) for all the support over the last 12-18 months, and for the chance to carry out this work at such a brilliant organisation

#RugbyAndHealth
Hope this thread has been useful - and happy to send over and pdf copies if you haven& #39;t got access too

#RugbyAndHealth #OverAndOut
You can follow @SteffanGriffin.
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