Rugby Codes Research Group (RCRG) - Interdisciplinary Research

• We are part of the Traumatic Brain Injury Network and are researching ways that are contributing to brain health.
• Concussions and impact studies for rugby code - Dr Doug King
• Head gear impact studies - Dr Elizabeth Bradshaw
• Psychology and social aspects of New Zealand League Academy players - Dr Sarah-Kate Miller
• World Rugby/NZR/AUT NZ RugbyHealth project - Professor Patria Hume et al.
• Navigating Two Worlds: Pacific Contribution to Leadership within the New Zealand Rugby System - Associate Professor Lesley Ferkins et al. - Pacific Island Experiences and Contribution to Non-Playing Rugby - Ferkins et al.
• UK Rugby Health study - Dr Karen Hind et al.
• Neuromuscular function and musculoskeletal health in retired rugby players - Ian Entwistle
• Neck strength and spine an neck injury prevention in rugby union and league - Mike Hopkinson
• Keoi University Rugby and Blues Rugby research project - Dr Sayumi Iwamoto et al.
• Meaning and sensemaking in high performance sport - John Paul Alder
• U.S. Rugby 7's injury - Dr Victor Lopez Jr
• Lower-extremity symmetry and ACL injury - Dr Scott Borwn
• RuFIT study - Dr Ralph Maddison
• Wearable resistance training - Kim Simperingham
• Japan rugby codes research presentations - Professor Patria Hume et al.
• Rugby Club Capability: Developing Rugby Club Capability across Wider Auckland through Board Leadership and Governance - Scott Crawford
• Secondary School Rugby: Testing actions to redress declining participation - Chris Barron

• Hume PA, Theadom A, Lewis G, Quarrie K, Brown SR, Hill R et al. A comparison of cognitive function in former rugby union players compared to former non-contact sport players and the impact of concussion history. Sports Medicine. 2016:1-12. doi:10.1007/s40279-016-0608-8.
• Lewis GN, Hume PA, Stravric V, Brown S, Taylor D. NZ Rugby Health study: Motor cortex excitability in retired elite and community level rugby players. New Zealand Medical Journal. 2017;130(1448):34-44.

Find more group publications

Grants gained

• A 2-year prospective injury epidemiological analysis of Rugby Sevens in North America
  Awarding body: National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)
  Amount and duration: US$250,000 for 2 years)
  Principal investigators: Answorth Allen, Victor Lopez, Robert Cantu, Patria Hume, Richard Ma, Meryle Weinstein, Arun Gupta

• Rugby Codes Research Group (RCRG) governance and technology expansion programme
  Awarding body: Auckland University of Technology Strategic Research Investment Fund
  Amount: NZ$250,000 gained of $540,000 requested
  Principal investigators: Lesley Ferkins, Patria Hume, Matt Brughelli. Associate investigators: Roy Nates, Stephen Reay, Enrico Haemmerle, Doug King, Coral Ingley, Nic Gill, Alice Theadom, Gwyn Lewis, Anna Lorimer

• The IRB/NZR/AUT RugbyHealth project
  Awarding body: World Rugby (previously International Rugby Board)
  Project aim: to better understand the long‐term physical and psychological effects of rugby

• IRB/AUT IRB/AUT/USC/UOA rugby player equipment review
  Awarding body: World Rugby
  Project aim: to identify products suitable for playing rugby by those who are visually impaired, have hearing disabilities or require prosthetics.

Awards

• AUT University Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences New Emerging Research Team Award in 2012 and commended in the Vice-Chancellor Research Awards