Activate - a physical preparation resource proven to reduce injury risk in rugby

Player welfare is World Rugby’s number one priority. We continually work to ensure our stakeholders can access high quality, up to date training and education opportunities supported by a wide range of resources to help them to make our game safer and better. Rugby is a physically intense sport in which players perform a variety of repeated contact and non-contact activities. Players need to be physically prepared for the various high intensity physical requirements that come with playing the game so that they can take part safely and effectively. The Activate programme is a physical preparation resource that coaches can use to prepare their players for the physical requirements of rugby.

USING ACTIVATE

26-40% FEWER SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

 29-60% FEWER CONCUSSIONS

Acknowledgements

Activate Programme Development

Activate was developed from a collaboration between researchers at the University of Bath and England Rugby: Dr Grant Trewartha, Professor Keith Stokes, Dr Matthew Attwood, Dr Mike Hislop (all University of Bath), Dr Simon Kemp, and Dr Mike England (both England Rugby).

Dr Alasdair Dempsey (Griffith University), Professor Carolyn Emery (University of Calgary), Dr Richard Mack (Bath Rugby), Ms Katie Morris (Rugby Football Union), Mr Des Ryan (Arsenal Football Club), Professor Evert Verhagen (VU University), Dr Matthew Cross, Dr Carly McKay, Dr Simon Roberts, Dr Sean Williams, Mr Vincent Singh, and Dr Shaun Williams (all University of Bath) also contributed to developing and refining the design and content of the programme.

Activate Programme Materials

World Rugby would like to thank the following for their assistance in producing the Activate materials published on this site: