An investigation of kicking kinematics in female rugby players
Citation:
Molly Eve Boyne, 'An investigation of kicking kinematics in female rugby players. Trinity College Dublin. School of Medicine. Discipline of Physiotherapy. 2022.Download Item:
Molly Eve Boyne - Final Research Masters Thesis 2022.pdf (Thesis) 13.70Mb
Abstract:
Background: Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Yet, there is a dearth of research in the game and how it compares to men’s rugby. Anecdotal evidence indicates that female players do not follow the same development pathway as their male counterparts; as a result, differences between the sexes include variation in playing experience and skill acquisition. One such skill is that of kicking. No published research has been carried out exploring the biomechanics of this skill in female rugby players; this project aimed to fill this gap in the literature.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing kicking biomechanics in male and female athletes in field-based sports was carried out by the research team to inform our own study. A testing protocol was designed to evaluate hip and groin health and kicking kinematics in female rugby kickers, as compared to their male counterparts. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant amendments to the original testing procedure were required. Official testing took place with elite female athletes in the IRFU High Performance Centre. Kicking biomechanics for place and drop kicks were recorded using a high speed camera and three electrogoniometers.
Results: Male soccer players produced greater ball velocities, distal lower limb velocities, and ankle plantarflexion angles at ball strike than females, as per the systematic review. For our own study, nine Ireland Women’s XVs and 7s rugby players were recruited. Significant electrogoniometer data errors were reported, indicating that these devices are not suitable for dynamic field-based testing. Place kicks were performed with a mean maximal hip extension angle of -26.25 ± 18.31°, knee flexion of 102.73 ± 1.66°, and hip flexion of 110 ± 22.92°. Drop kicks were carried out with a mean maximum knee flexion angle of 105.91 ± 12.86° and a maximal hip flexion angle of 91.48 ± 26.2°.
Conclusion: Biomechanical differences exist between male and female soccer players when performing kicks. It remains unknown whether the same is true in rugby. A piloted protocol to investigate this was developed as part of our project. This could be used effectively by future researchers to begin characterising kicking in women’s rugby.
Author: Boyne, Molly Eve
Advisor:
Wilson, FionaQualification name:
MScType of material:
ThesisAvailability:
Full text availableKeywords:
Kicking, kinematics, biomechanics, female athlete, rugby, soccer, sport, systematic reviewLicences: