{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,11]],"date-time":"2026-11-11T01:25:16Z","timestamp":1794360316239,"version":"4.9.0"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"19","content-domain":{"domain":["bmj.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Br J Sports Med"],"accepted":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,15]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Within women\u2019s rugby league (n=12 teams), we (1) identified modifiers for head-to-head contacts informed by sport partners (eg, players, coaches, match officials); (2) compared head-to-head contact and concussion rates to the previous two seasons following a one-season tackle technique coaching intervention and (3) explored barriers and enablers of the intervention.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A multi-method design was used. Part 1: Mitigation strategies were identified by sport partners reviewing footage of head-to-head contacts, informing the development of a coach-targeted tackle technique intervention. Part 2 evaluated the intervention, comparing head-to-head contact and concussion incidence rates (IRs). Interviews with coaches and players (n=6) explored barriers and enablers to effective implementation and compliance with the intervention.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Sport partners reported tacklers were more responsible for head-to-head contacts and lowering the tackle height was the most frequently suggested mitigation strategy preintervention and postintervention. Head-to-head contact rates were significantly lower during the intervention than preintervention (IR 59; 95%\u2009CI 56 to 62 vs IR 28; 95%\u2009CI 25 to 30\/1000 tackle events); however, concussion rates showed no difference. Perceived barriers to the intervention included underdeveloped physical and technical foundations of players, lack of knowledge and understanding of the intervention and its purpose, and the environmental context and lack of resources in women\u2019s rugby league. Beliefs about the consequences of the tackle and concussion were perceived as barriers and enablers.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Head-to-head contact rates were significantly lower; however, concussion rates did not decrease following a tackle technique coaching intervention. Reduced head-to-head contacts are potentially due to an increased focus on head injury reduction and increased player\/coach awareness and support.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2024-109048","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]],"date-time":"2025-07-31T17:20:22Z","timestamp":1753982422000},"page":"1367-1376","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Reduced head-to-head contact rates in elite-level women\u2019s rugby league following a season-long tackle technique coaching intervention"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"59","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2777-5522","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mily","family":"Spiegelhalter","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK"},{"name":"Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, Leeds, 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