Professional Players SHIELd Study

A research team at the University of Otago is looking to conduct a study to help improve performance monitoring and support ongoing evidence-based approaches to player welfare, concussion management, rehabilitation, and return-to-play decision making – the Professional Players SHIELd Study. 

Subject to players consent, the researchers plan to use data already collected by NZR between the 2024–2027 seasons to better understand both the demands placed on players during contact events and each player’s physical capacity to respond to and tolerate those demands. 

If you played for the All Blacks, Black Ferns, All Black Sevens, Black Ferns Sevens, All Blacks XV, Māori All Blacks, All Blacks Trial Team, Men’s U20 National Team, or in the Super Rugby Pacific or Super Rugby Aupiki competitions at any time since 2024, you may choose to participate in the study.

Participating in the study simply means providing your consent for the researchers to use data already collected about you by NZR. That data includes:

• instrumented mouthguard (iMG) head impact data
• neck strength testing results
• match statistics and Opta data (without video)
• concussion and HIA records (where available)
• GPS and performance measures (e.g., CMJ, RPE)
• wellness (recovery) monitoring data (where available)

Participation is voluntary. You can obtain independent advice prior to participating. Or reach out to rebeeca.girodano@nzrpa.co.nz if you have any questions.

If you are interested you can read more about the study and opt in by following the below QR code.