Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar a prática do rúgbi em São Paulo em seu período inicial (1891-1933) e fornecer elementos para se questionar as barreiras à sua difusão durante o período da Primeira República, em contraste com o futebol. O trabalho consistiu na identificação e análise de fontes jornalísticas e de documentos de arquivo privado que lançaram luz sobre a prática da modalidade no período. Buscou-se compreender a introdução do rúgbi na cidade num período caracterizado pelo desenvolvimento das práticas esportivas ditas modernas numa sociedade em constante transformação, na qual o esporte desempenhava papel importante na modernização da vida urbana. A história do rúgbi mundial, de suas origens às intensas disputas do fim do século XIX às primeiras três décadas do século XX, foi também objeto de análise, com suas disputas internas profissionalismo versus amadorismo, massificação e espetacularização sendo compreendidas, em diálogo com as mesmas disputas ocorridas dentro do futebol paulista. / This research aimed to analyse the practice of Rugby Football in São Paulo in its initial, emerging period (1891-1933) and provide elements to question the barriers to the games expansion during the period of Brazils First Republic, in contrast to football. The research identifies and analyses journalistic sources and private archives that shed light on the practice of the sport during the period. These sources were sought to understand the introduction of Rugby Football in the city, in a period characterised by the development of modern sports practices; in a society in constant transformation, in which sport played an important role in the modernisation of urban life. The history of global rugby, from its origins to the intense disputes of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, was also analysed through its internal struggles - professionalism versus amateurism, massification and spectacularisation - being understood, in dialogue, with similar disputes occurring within local football in São Paulo.

A dissertação cria um panorama amplo da prática do rugby no Brasil abordando aspectos sociológicos e históricos da modalidade em território nacional com o objetivo de compreender a sua prática, características e dinâmicas na atualidade. A partir do referencial teórico de Bourdieu e Mauss, entre outros, o trabalho constrói uma história do rugby no Brasil, utilizando como base documentos e entrevistas. A dissertação procura demonstrar que o rugby, inicialmente praticado quase que só por jogadores estrangeiros, termina por ser apropriado pelos brasileiros criando uma identidade própria e servindo de ponte para a inclusão de estrangeiros que praticavam o rugby em seus países de origem / The dissertation creates a broad overview of the rugby practice in Brazil addressing sociological and historical aspects of the sport in the country in order to understand their practice, characteristics and dynamics today. From the theoretical framework of Bourdieu and Mauss, among others, the work builds a history of rugby in Brazil, using as base documents and interviews. The dissertation tries to demonstrate that rugby, initially practiced almost exclusively by foreign players, ends up being appropriated by Brazilian creating its own identity and serving as a bridge for the inclusion of foreigners who practiced rugby in their countries of origin

Ce travail est issu de plusieurs constats. Premièrement, il est admis aujourd’hui que la capacité à percevoir et à retirer les informations visuelles les plus pertinentes d’une action adverse est un facteur déterminant de la performance sportive et ce d'autant plus si l'action est incertaine et faussée. Le second constat, découlant du premier, est que la tromperie est mise en jeu dans bon nombre d'interactions humaines, mais qu'elle est particulièrement déterminante et prépondérante dans lecadre des stratégies sportives. Enfin, le dernier constat est que l'exploration de la performance sportive, pour des raisons méthodologiques ou théoriques, ne permet pas dans certains cas d'expliquer pourquoi un expert est meilleur qu'un novice.L’objectif de notre travail est de comprendre ces déterminants (perceptivo-moteurs) de l'expertise lors d’un duel 1 vs. 1 en rugby présentant une tentative de feinte de l’attaquant. Nous résumons ce travail en trois questions concrètes auxquelles nous répondons: Comment réaliser une feinte de corps en rugby? Comment la détecter? Comment y faire face? La première étude s'attache à analyser les différences biomécaniques observables entre un mouvement de simple changement de direction et un mouvement de feinte de corps en rugby. La seconde étude, en immersion virtuelle, met en lien les informations prospectives émanant des mouvements de feinte et la prise de décision du défenseur de rugby (expert ou novice). Enfin, en se basant sur une méthodologie quasi similaire, la troisième étude vient immerger les participants dans une situation complète de défense, nous permettant d'explorer leur stratégie perceptivo-motrice. L'ensemble de ce processus nous permet de témoigner de l'effet de l'expertise mais surtout d'expliquer pourquoi l'expert est meilleur en dressant les différences de stratégie perceptivo-motrice le caractérisant. Si les implications concernent majoritairement le domaine du rugby (connaissances fondamentales et entrainement), elles présentent au sens plus large, un éclairage justifié et démontré des processus mis en jeu lors de toute interaction, humaine ou animal, sollicitant la tromperie. Nous en sommes persuadés; un prédateur animal, un joueur de poker, un défenseur de basket... se doivent deprésenter des stratégies quasi-similaires pour détecter l'intention de bluff chez l'opposant / This work comes from several observations. First, it is now accepted that the ability to pick up and attend to the most relevant visual information from an opponent action is a determinant of performance and even more so if the action is uncertain and deceptive. The second observation, deriving from the first, is that deception is put into play in many human interactions, and it is particularly crucial in sports strategies. Finally the last observation is that exploration of athletic performance, for methodological or theoretical reasons, can’t explain, in certain cases, why an expert is better than a novice.The aim of our work is to understand these determinants (perception and action) of expertise in a 1 vs. 1 duel in rugby, presenting an attempt of deceptive movement by the attacker. We summarize this work in three specific questions we answer: How to make a deceptive movement? How to detect a deceptive movement? How to answer to a deceptive movement? The first study aims to analyse the biomechanical differences between a movement with a simple changeof direction and a deceptive movement in rugby. The second study, using virtual reality, links the prospective information of the attacker’s movement and the decision making of the rugby defender (expert or novice). Finally, based on a quasi-similar methodology, the third study immerses the participants in a situation requiring a complete action of defence, allowing us to explore the perception and action strategies of the participants. This whole process allows us to demonstrate the effectof expertise but also to explain why experts are better by drawing up the differences characterizing them in terms of perception and action strategies. If the implications mainly concern the field of rugby (basic knowledge and training), they are also of great interest for any interaction, human or animal, involving deception. We are convinced, a predatory animal, apoker player, a defender of basketball ... must present similar strategies to detect the deceptive intention of an opponent

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar a prática do rúgbi em São Paulo em seu período inicial (1891-1933) e fornecer elementos para se questionar as barreiras à sua difusão durante o período da Primeira República, em contraste com o futebol. O trabalho consistiu na identificação e análise de fontes jornalísticas e de documentos de arquivo privado que lançaram luz sobre a prática da modalidade no período. Buscou-se compreender a introdução do rúgbi na cidade num período caracterizado pelo desenvolvimento das práticas esportivas ditas modernas numa sociedade em constante transformação, na qual o esporte desempenhava papel importante na modernização da vida urbana. A história do rúgbi mundial, de suas origens às intensas disputas do fim do século XIX às primeiras três décadas do século XX, foi também objeto de análise, com suas disputas internas profissionalismo versus amadorismo, massificação e espetacularização sendo compreendidas, em diálogo com as mesmas disputas ocorridas dentro do futebol paulista. / This research aimed to analyse the practice of Rugby Football in São Paulo in its initial, emerging period (1891-1933) and provide elements to question the barriers to the games expansion during the period of Brazils First Republic, in contrast to football. The research identifies and analyses journalistic sources and private archives that shed light on the practice of the sport during the period. These sources were sought to understand the introduction of Rugby Football in the city, in a period characterised by the development of modern sports practices; in a society in constant transformation, in which sport played an important role in the modernisation of urban life. The history of global rugby, from its origins to the intense disputes of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, was also analysed through its internal struggles - professionalism versus amateurism, massification and spectacularisation - being understood, in dialogue, with similar disputes occurring within local football in São Paulo.

Despite considerable interest driving prominent studies over many decades' leadership theory and research remains one of the least understood topics. Leadership is still mysterious and complex. This study is a journey of discovery designed to explore the complexities and prominence of leadership as it exists in New Zealand. The journey began with a literature review metaphorically represented as three poles of knowledge. The first pole focused on Māori (ordinary, of this land, native people of New Zealand) and Māori culture where leadership is highly valued. The second explored sport and in particular rugby, which enjoys celebrity status amongst Māori and New Zealanders. The final pole reviewed organisational studies and literature on leadership.The study pursued perceptions of male Māori rugby players concerning leadership, from a Māori, rugby, and New Zealand perspective. The research approach employed by this study is based on the principles of grounded theory, kaupapa Māori methodology and its Western cousin, ethnomethodology. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine prominent past and present Māori rugby players. By focusing on this demographic, this study was able to examine Māori and Pākehā leadership styles, similarities and differences; highlight key cultural characteristics and strengthen arguments claiming a relationship exists between the three poles of knowledge. This approach enabled a review of those beneficial and advantageous qualities considered to have an impact on leadership in New Zealand.Findings from interviews revealed relationships do exist between the three poles of knowledge. The values or concepts whānau (family, extended family), responsibility, collectivism, and tuākana/tēina (elder/leaders to younger/novices) relationships were identified as central qualities of Māori leadership. Collectivism is expressed as concerns of whānau. Reciprocity was embodied in relationships of tuākana/tēina with rugby being a vehicle that enhanced both and encouraged leadership development. Findings combined with evidence from literature prompted discussion aimed at three different audiences: leadership theorists; Māori, and; rugby audiences. The study's implications and limitations are taken into consideration.

Aims and objectives: To investigate the epidemiology, risk factors, and preventive strategies for serious head and spinal injuries related to rugby league and union football in New South Wales (NSW). Methods: The three main components of this study included. 1. A retrospective analysis of clinical and compensation case file records during the 16-year period, 1984-1999. 2. A review of game rules, weights and heights of players, over the past 100 years. 3. A review of film and video footage of rugby football games spanning most of the 20th century. A method was developed to allow valid comparisons in style of play over a 70-year period. Results: The estimated annual incidence rate of SCI for rugby league players was 1.9 (95%CI 1.3 - 2.8) per 100,000 estimated players per year, and 3.3 (95%CI 2.2 - 4.8) per 100,000 estimated rugby union players per year over the study period 1984 to 1999. There was no significant change in the incidence of rugby league related serious spinal cord injuries (1984-1999), fatalities (1984-1999) or serious head injuries (1984-1999). There was a small but significant decline in rugby union related serious spinal cord injuries (1984-1999, P<0.05). However, the relative risk of spinal cord injury was 1.34 times greater for rugby union compared to rugby league over the entire study period (95%CI 1.01 - 1.67, P<0.05). For rugby football, the evidence suggested that the force of impact between participants was a key causal risk factor for serious injury. Elite rugby league and union players from 1999-2000 teams were significantly heavier (P<0.05) and taller (P<0.05) than players pre 1950. Players in modern elite games post 1989 were more likely to be tackled by multiple opponents (P = 0.000), tackled head on (P<0.05), at chest level (P<0.05) and at greater speeds than their earlier counterparts pre 1958. However, modern players appear to be no more aggressive or perpetrate greater foul play than their predecessors. Conclusions: There was a continued annual occurrence of catastrophically serious injuries leading to permanent brain damage and quadriplegia associated with rugby league and union in NSW. The critical risk factors found to be associated with serious injury in rugby football suggest relatively novel approaches to the development of preventive strategies.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Physio.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

Plyometrics is primarily used by coaches and sport scientists to improve explosive power among athletes who participate in dynamic, high intensity type of sports. One of the plyometric-related training methods that has received attention in recent years, is loaded or resistance (resistive) jump training. Limited research does, however, exist with regard to the benefits and use of this training method as well as in conjunction with other training methods, especially among team sport participants. It is against this background that the research objectives of this study were firstly, to examine the effects of a 4-week combined rugby-conditioning and resisted jump training program compared to a combined rugby-conditioning and normal jump training program, on selected physical, motor ability and anthropometric components of university-level rugby players. The second objective was to examine the acute effects of a resisted compared to a normal jump training session on selected physical and motor ability components of university-level rugby players. Thirty rugby players (age: 19.60 ± 0.79 years) from the first and second u/19 and u/21 rugby teams of a university in South Africa were randomly selected to participate in the first part of study. For the second part of the study thirty senior rugby players (1st and 2nd senior teams) (age: 21.78 ± 1.86 years) of the Rugby Institute at a university in South Africa were randomly selected to participate in the study. For both studies the thirty players were in turn randomly divided into two groups of fifteen players each. One group formed the experimental and the other group the control group. The first objective was tested by subjecting the players to a 4-week combined sport-specific and resisted plyometric training program (experimental group) or a combined sport-specific and normal plyometric training program to investigate the adaptations of body composition, lower body flexibility, explosive leg power, speed, agility and leg strength. After a 10-week period (“wash-out period”) during which subjects continued with their normal rugby-conditioning program, the same testing procedures as before, were executed by following a crossover design. In order to test the second objective of the study players’ body weight and height were firstly measured after which they were subjected to a thorough warm-up, followed by the execution of the flexibility;Vertical Jump Test (VJT); 5-, 10- and 20 m speed tests; the Illinois Agility Run Test (IART) and the 6RM (repetition maximum) Smith Machine Squat Test (6RM-SMST). The experimental group was subject to the resisted jump training session on the Vertimax whereas the control group executed the same exercises on the floor. Directly after the training session each of the players again completed the test battery. After the first week, a crossover design was implemented. Although the overall study (independent t-test and main effect ANOVA) results of the first study suggested that the experimental group experienced more positive changes, especially with regard to the body fat, skeletal mass and somatotype-related anthropometric and flexibility-related measurements, only relaxed upper-arm girth, ectomorphy, left Active-straight-leg-raise-test and the left Modified Thomas Quadriceps Test values showed significant differences (p < 0.05) when the two groups of players were compared. Although the experimental group demonstrated significantly better average scores in the majority of the last-mentioned components, this group experienced a significantly higher reduction in relaxed upper-arm girth due to the conditioning program than the control group. The main effect ANOVA results of the acute study showed that no significant differences were obtained for any of the measured components between an acute resisted and normal jump training session. To conclude, the study revealed that a 4-week combined rugby-conditioning and resisted jump training program (experimental group) did not benefit university-level rugby players significantly more with regard to selected physical, motor ability and anthropometric components than a combined rugby-conditioning and normal jump training program (control group). Furthermore, despite the fact that the acute resisted and normal jump training exercises met all the requirements to produce post-activation potentiation, the study results showed that these exercise sessions did not lead to any significant acute changes in the physical and motor ability components of university-level rugby players. / MA (Sport Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Professional rugby union has grown to become the third most popular team contact sport in the world. The physical nature of the game results in a high prevalence of injuries on all levels of play. Injury prevalence as high as 83.9 injuries per 1000 playing hours has been reported for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. Although research indicates schoolboy rugby union to be safer than professional rugby, injury rates as high as 65.8 injuries per 1000 playing hours have been reported. These injuries are mostly caused by the tackle situation, with the knee– and shoulder–joints being the most injured site. The risk of injuries in rugby union is heightened by professionalism, previous injuries, higher training demands, intrinsic factors and psychological issues. Due to the professional nature the game has taken on, the management of rugby union injuries has become increasingly more important. This should include prehabilitation or injury prevention programs, rehabilitation up until the final, sport specific phase as well as structured return to play testing. Another important aspect of injury management is the education of coaches, players and other persons involved in the sport. Objectives The first objective of the study was to observe the prevalence and nature of injuries in South African schoolboy rugby union players. Secondly, the treatment of these injuries was observed as well as the return to play criteria used to determine readiness to return to play after injury. The association between the treatment of injuries and the severity of injuries was then obtained. Lastly re–injury prevalence was compared to treatment received and return to play criteria used to determine readiness. Methods Ten schools from across South Africa partook in the study. The schools were all identified by the NWU–PUK as elite schools due to performances in the previous year (2008). Only the first team squad of each school was participated, amounting to a total number of 194 boys answering questionnaires conducted by the researcher for each of their injuries. The questionnaires included injury severity and site, recurrence of injury, cause of injury, treatment procedures and criteria used for return to play. Severity was defined in terms of game and training days missed due to injury and are describe as slight (0 – 1 day), minimal (2 - 3 days), mild (4 - 7 days), moderate (8 - 28 days) or severe (>28 days). The results were then analyzed and presented through descriptive statistics. Statistical significance was indicated by p <= 0.05. Practical significance was described by the Phi–coefficient. The practical significance indicated by phi, was indicated as large if phi >= 0.5. Results A total number of 118 injuries were reported amounting to 78.51 injuries per 1000 playing hours. New injuries accounted for 68.64% (n=81) while recurrent injuries was reported to be 31.36% (n=37). The most frequent site of injury was the knee (n=26), followed by the shoulder (n=21). The event leading to injury that was most frequently reported, was the tackle (including making the tackle and being tackled) (n=49). Most injuries were slight (48%) but a high rate of moderate and severe injuries (39%) were reported. These moderate to severe injuries resulted in a minimum total of 360 days missed. Severe injuries were more likely to be treated by a doctor. Treatment by a doctor for severe injuries indicated the only significance in the study (p = 0.7). No fixed return to play protocol was in place for deciding if a player should be allowed to return to play. Thirteen of the injuries were however investigated through further testing (either through isokinetic or on–field testing). Conclusion Injury prevalence amongst top teams in South African schoolboy rugby union is very high. Rehabilitation does not follow a structured program or guidelines and there is no definite return to play protocols available. Re–injury rates are high, possibly due to the lack of structured rehabilitation and return to play protocols. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Professional rugby union has grown to become the third most popular team contact sport in the world. The physical nature of the game results in a high prevalence of injuries on all levels of play. Injury prevalence as high as 83.9 injuries per 1000 playing hours has been reported for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. Although research indicates schoolboy rugby union to be safer than professional rugby, injury rates as high as 65.8 injuries per 1000 playing hours have been reported. These injuries are mostly caused by the tackle situation, with the knee– and shoulder–joints being the most injured site. The risk of injuries in rugby union is heightened by professionalism, previous injuries, higher training demands, intrinsic factors and psychological issues. Due to the professional nature the game has taken on, the management of rugby union injuries has become increasingly more important. This should include prehabilitation or injury prevention programs, rehabilitation up until the final, sport specific phase as well as structured return to play testing. Another important aspect of injury management is the education of coaches, players and other persons involved in the sport. Objectives The first objective of the study was to observe the prevalence and nature of injuries in South African schoolboy rugby union players. Secondly, the treatment of these injuries was observed as well as the return to play criteria used to determine readiness to return to play after injury. The association between the treatment of injuries and the severity of injuries was then obtained. Lastly re–injury prevalence was compared to treatment received and return to play criteria used to determine readiness. Methods Ten schools from across South Africa partook in the study. The schools were all identified by the NWU–PUK as elite schools due to performances in the previous year (2008). Only the first team squad of each school was participated, amounting to a total number of 194 boys answering questionnaires conducted by the researcher for each of their injuries. The questionnaires included injury severity and site, recurrence of injury, cause of injury, treatment procedures and criteria used for return to play. Severity was defined in terms of game and training days missed due to injury and are describe as slight (0 – 1 day), minimal (2 - 3 days), mild (4 - 7 days), moderate (8 - 28 days) or severe (>28 days). The results were then analyzed and presented through descriptive statistics. Statistical significance was indicated by p <= 0.05. Practical significance was described by the Phi–coefficient. The practical significance indicated by phi, was indicated as large if phi >= 0.5. Results A total number of 118 injuries were reported amounting to 78.51 injuries per 1000 playing hours. New injuries accounted for 68.64% (n=81) while recurrent injuries was reported to be 31.36% (n=37). The most frequent site of injury was the knee (n=26), followed by the shoulder (n=21). The event leading to injury that was most frequently reported, was the tackle (including making the tackle and being tackled) (n=49). Most injuries were slight (48%) but a high rate of moderate and severe injuries (39%) were reported. These moderate to severe injuries resulted in a minimum total of 360 days missed. Severe injuries were more likely to be treated by a doctor. Treatment by a doctor for severe injuries indicated the only significance in the study (p = 0.7). No fixed return to play protocol was in place for deciding if a player should be allowed to return to play. Thirteen of the injuries were however investigated through further testing (either through isokinetic or on–field testing). Conclusion Injury prevalence amongst top teams in South African schoolboy rugby union is very high. Rehabilitation does not follow a structured program or guidelines and there is no definite return to play protocols available. Re–injury rates are high, possibly due to the lack of structured rehabilitation and return to play protocols. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.