• Best-practice player load guidance launched by top players and coaches
  • Resource provides practical advice on player load management aimed at reducing injuries and optimising performance
  • Aligns with Rugby World Cup 2019 player load passport programme in raising awareness, understanding and positive action

World Rugby and International Rugby Players, supported by top coaches and players, have launched an innovative player load guidance programme to reduce the risk of injury through best-practice training load management.

A key pillar of World Rugby’s five-point injury-prevention strategy, the programme focuses on reducing the impact of training on injuries. Training accounts for approximately 89-95 per cent of total elite player workload and research demonstrates a strong correlation between poor individual player load management and injuries, both within the match and training environments, many of which are deemed ‘controllable’.

Conversely, best-practice individual load management is a key factor behind understanding and mitigating injury risk, boosting performance and long-term player mental and physical well-being, as identified in the 2016 peer-reviewed World Rugby study.

Developed by a multi-disciplinary expert group including top coaches, players, medical, research and law specialists, the ground-breaking Train Smart. Play Smart programme is a user-friendly practical resource for coaches and players at all levels, aimed at driving positive load management approach and behaviour change.

The guidance is based on 10 principles and will enable coaches to successfully manage training load, recognising that some players are at greater risk of injury based on variables such as returning from injury, age and injury history.

As a user-friendly resource, it provides education on common load contributors, advice on how to effectively measure player load and offers simple guidance and techniques for coaches from training and match management to lifestyle factors.

As announced in January, any player competing at Rugby World Cup 2019 must have a ‘load passport’ to encourage best-practice training load management between club and country environments (approved by the World Rugby Council in November 2018 and presented to coaches), while all unions are encouraged to optimally manage load between club and national team environments based on published best-practice and guidance.

ACCESS THE FULL PROGRAMME HERE >>

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “World Rugby is committed to evidence-based injury-prevention programmes and the load guidance is an excellent example of that approach, game-wide collaboration and practical advice that can benefit the whole game. We urge everyone in the game to take this seriously.”

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, a member of the working group added:”Players who are well managed tend to perform more consistently and get injured less often, though it’s a collision sport and you can’t completely mitigate against injury.

“Planning and preparation are key. Any spike, whether it’s in training load or on match-day, is a red flag for risk. Players should progress gradually to build robustness because if they don’t, they are more likely to injure themselves.

“This is as applicable to the amateur game as it is to the professional game. If you can manage load, so players are physically and mentally able to cope, then they’re going to enjoy the game and perform better.”

WATCH AN INTERVIEW WITH JOE SCHMIDT >>

WATCH AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. MARTIN RAFTERY >>

World Rugby Chief Medical Officer Dr. Martin Raftery said: “A successful injury-prevention strategy is not simply about reducing match time as training accounts for up to 85 per cent of all player load. This holistic programme is about reducing injuries through management of training load and as a consequence improving player performance and long-term well-being. Ultimately, it is about changing culture, just as we have been doing with regards to concussion.”

International Rugby Players CEO Omar Hassanein said: “This group was formed amid concerns from our senior players that sectors of both the amateur and professional game demonstrate poor player workload management. These guidelines, developed by educated people in the field, are designed to help coaches with their ongoing planning whilst equally identifying red flag situations.

The culture of over-burdening players to the detriment of both their health and performance (the message should be about the following and in this order – injury, performance and health), must be removed from all forms of the game”

The document also focuses on identifying high-risk athletes, such as players involved in multiple-teams e.g. international elite players, young elite players as well as players returning from injury, veteran players and those who have recently moved to a higher level of competition.

Wales centre and working group member Jamie Roberts, himself a medical student, says the young players and coaches should adopt a ‘train smart’ mindset: “As the game continues to evolve, it’s important that coaches and players educate themselves on how much is the optimum level for each individual. Taking a smart approach will ultimately help them plan, prepare and perform at their best.

Editors’ Notes

Player load working group: Agustín Pichot (Vice Chairman, World Rugby), Dr Martin Raftery, Mark Harrington, Ross Tucker (World Rugby), Ken Quarrie (NZR), Matt Cross (PRL), Simon Kemp (RFU), Glenn Stewart, Omar Hassanein, Isaac Boss, Stephen Moore, Jamie Roberts (International Rugby Players), Joe Schmidt (IRFU),

  • On average, an elite adult player will participate in 17 matches per year and will only complete two-thirds of each game-time
  • 20 per cent of players are involved in 25 matches or more, while five per cent of players are involved in 30 matches or more

Read more about World Rugby’s injury-prevention strategy here >>

About World Rugby: World Rugby is committed to the global advancement of rugby and its character-building values to build a better, stronger game for all. The global rugby community comprises 9.1 million players and 338 million fans affiliated via 124 national member unions in six regions and driven by the commercial success of Rugby World Cup, World Rugby is investing GBP £482 million at all levels of the game between 2016 and 2019, eclipsing the previous four-year cycle by 38 per cent, to ensure strong and sustainable growth. www.world.rugby