Author(s): GRIFFIN, A., KENNY, I., COMYNS, T.M., TIERNAN, C., LYONS, M. , Institution: ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, Country: IRELAND, Abstract-ID: 1971

INTRODUCTION:
Rugby Union is a high-intensity contact invasion sport with an inherent risk of injury. Monitoring training has become integral to the injury risk management practices of coaches in recent years [1]. Evidence is emerging supporting the use of Likert and visual analogue scales as a method of monitoring wellness with studies [2] supporting their ecological validity. The purpose of this study was to explore (1) associations between various subjective self-reported measures of wellness and injury occurrence in amateur Rugby Union and (2) the influence of various lag periods (time between the dose and injury) on these associations.
METHODS:
Forty-three male players (mean ± SD; age 24.8 ± 4.1 years; height 184.1 ± 7.2 cm; body mass 100.4 ± 16.8 kg; playing experience 13.7 ± 4.7 years) from six teams participated in the study over one competitive season. Participants recorded six subjective wellness measures (fatigue, muscle soreness, sleep duration, sleep quality, mood, and readiness to train) on a chromatic coloured 1 – 5 Likert scale immediately prior to each training session and match. An overall daily wellness score was also calculated by summating all 6 scores (i.e. minimum score = 6, maximum score = 30). Injury data were collected by each team’s physiotherapist. Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyse any associations between injuries and the wellness variables across 0, 3 and 7 day lag periods.
RESULTS:
The logistic regression found significant weak to strong associations between the occurrence of injury and the six individual measures of wellness, resulting in odds ratios (OR) ranging from 1.642 - 4.870 (p < 0.001 - 0.01) with 0-days lag. A strong association (OR = 6.172, p < 0.001) between the occurrence of injury and the summative score of overall wellness was found (0-day lag). No associations were found when lag periods of 3 and 7 days were examined.
CONCLUSION:
The findings of this study support the positive association between injury and subjective wellness. Practitioners should see subjective wellness measures as simple yet highly informative for monitoring players’ training with the aim of promoting positive adaptations while simultaneously mitigating injury risk. If players experience a negative overall wellness, it is likely their risk of injury is increased. Practitioners should act on the data instantaneously, which may be challenging, but conversing with the said player regarding their wellness data and subsequent training prescription may be good practice.

REFERENCES:
1. West, S.W., et al., Training load and injury risk in elite rugby union: the largest investigation to date. Int J Sports Med, 2020. 42(08): p.731-739.
2. Cullen, B.D., McCarren, A.L. and Malone, S., Ecological validity of self-reported wellness measures to assess pre-training and pre-competition preparedness within elite Gaelic football. Sport Sci Health, 2021.17: p.163-172.