The study examined the effects tackling style has on forces translated to the brain in football and rugby. 

Tackling is linked to concussion due to high or repetitive impact forces. A small number of NFL teams are incorporating the rugby tackle mechanics due to keeping the head out of the way. Rugby style tackle use is increasing in football.

A convenient sample of 30 male football and rugby participants from two universities participated in this observational study. 20 football participants (20 ± 1.61 YO, 71.63 ± 2.71 in., 210.84 ± 45.52 lbs.) had impact sensors placed in the helmet (CUE™ Sports Sensor, Athlete Intelligence, Kirkland, WA) and 10 rugby participants (20.22 ± 3.31YO, 70.78 ± 2.11 in., 211.78 ± 40.62 lbs.) were fitted with an instrumented mouthguard (VECTOR™ Sports Sensor, Athlete Intelligence, Kirkland, WA) during their respective spring seasons. Participants practiced without intervention. Devices were returned to researchers after activity, and the data was uploaded. Welch’s ANOVA with a Games-Howell post-hoc analyzed the data with significance set at .05.

Football participants tallied 3921 impacts over the course of 12 practices, compared to 1868 impacts over 9 practices received by rugby participants. Welch’s ANOVA determined that there is a difference in the frequency of impacts between football and rugby participants (Welch’s F (1, 4119.84) = 29.41, p<.001). Football participants encountered linear impacts at 62.95 ± 36.57g. Rugby participants sustained impacts 20.59 ± 15.79g. The Welch’s ANOVA determined a difference in impact force between the football and rugby participants exists (Welch’s F (1, 5741.884) = 3780.385, p <.001).

Impact frequency appears to be lower in rugby athletes than football athletes during spring ball. Also, the average impact force appears to be less in rugby athletes. The use of a rugby-style tackle generated lower impact forces in athletes when contact occurs.