title: Rugby placekicking mechanics to inform coaching strategies and enhance performance

authors: Hébert-Losier, Kim

abstract: Introduction The ability to score from placekicks is a trait discriminating winning and losing in elite Rugby Union1. Placekicks account for 45% of points in international Rugby Union, with match outcomes reliant on placekicking success2. Clearly, improving placekicking success can alter match outcomes and should be a key focus in rugby skills coaching. Currently, coaching placekicking techniques mainly relies upon practical experience or findings from other sports or non-elite Rugby Union players tested in laboratory environments. These studies provide limited real-world guidance for placekickers and coaches. Our aim was to determine biomechanical variables that discriminate good and bad placekicking attempts in an ecologically valid environment. Methods Three competitive male placekickers performed 10 kicks outdoors, 35-meters from the goalposts. Placekicker and ball 3D biomechanics were collected at 300-Hz using a Qualysis 3D motion capture system. Coach and player perceptions and placekick outcomes were recorded to define the three best and three worst kicks for each placekicker. Differences between the best and worst kicks were examined using standardised effect sizes (ES). Results Seven variables meaningfully and consistently differentiated the best from worst placekicks in all three players (‘core variables’, Figure 1). In the best kicks, resultant and forward speed of centre of mass were slower at ball contact, but maintained better through contact; the kicking leg reached greater knee flexion during swing and was more flexed at the hip and knee at ball contact; and the trunk was less rotated outwards relative to the kicking direction. Twenty-seven variables were consistently associated with better kicking performance in all players, with a large ES in at least one player (‘meaningful variables’, Figure 1). These variables indicated that the best kicks demonstrated less sideways ball spin, speed, and direction; greater change in vertical and sideways foot speed during ball contact; a more “C” than “J” shape footpath; larger shoulder-to-hip separation; and less ankle motion during swing. Figure 1. Biomechanical variables associated with successful placekicking. Discussion This exploratory study identified biomechanical variables that discriminated the best from the worst placekicks in competitive rugby players. The identified differences can guide coaching of placekicking at a group level in absence of individual data. The variables and coaching cues that appear important in promoting successful placekicking outcomes include controlling centre of mass approach and follow-through speed, enhancing knee flexion and axial rotation range, being on-top of the ball at ball contact, swooping across the ball with the foot, and minimizing ball sideways movements. Acknowledgements We thank the participants and members from the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance for their assistance. References 1. Lim et al., Int J Perform Anal Sport. 2009;9(3):354-367. 2. Quarrie and Hopkins, J Sci Med Sport. 2015;18(2):195-198.

text: Rugby placekicking mechanics to inform coaching strategies and enhance performance Introduction The ability to score from placekicks is a trait discriminating winning and losing in elite Rugby Union1. Placekicks account for 45% of points in international Rugby Union, with match outcomes reliant on placekicking success2. Clearly, improving placekicking success can alter match outcomes and should be a key focus in rugby skills coaching. Currently, coaching placekicking techniques mainly relies upon practical experience or findings from other sports or non-elite Rugby Union players tested in laboratory environments. These studies provide limited real-world guidance for placekickers and coaches. Our aim was to determine biomechanical variables that discriminate good and bad placekicking attempts in an ecologically valid environment. Methods Three competitive male placekickers performed 10 kicks outdoors, 35-meters from the goalposts. Placekicker and ball 3D biomechanics were collected at 300-Hz using a Qualysis 3D motion capture system. Coach and player perceptions and placekick outcomes were recorded to define the three best and three worst kicks for each placekicker. Differences between the best and worst kicks were examined using standardised effect sizes (ES). Results Seven variables meaningfully and consistently differentiated the best from worst placekicks in all three players (‘core variables’, Figure 1). In the best kicks, resultant and forward speed of centre of mass were slower at ball contact, but maintained better through contact; the kicking leg reached greater knee flexion during swing and was more flexed at the hip and knee at ball contact; and the trunk was less rotated outwards relative to the kicking direction. Twenty-seven variables were consistently associated with better kicking performance in all players, with a large ES in at least one player (‘meaningful variables’, Figure 1). These variables indicated that the best kicks demonstrated less sideways ball spin, speed, and direction; greater change in vertical and sideways foot speed during ball contact; a more “C” than “J” shape footpath; larger shoulder-to-hip separation; and less ankle motion during swing. Figure 1. Biomechanical variables associated with successful placekicking. Discussion This exploratory study identified biomechanical variables that discriminated the best from the worst placekicks in competitive rugby players. The identified differences can guide coaching of placekicking at a group level in absence of individual data. The variables and coaching cues that appear important in promoting successful placekicking outcomes include controlling centre of mass approach and follow-through speed, enhancing knee flexion and axial rotation range, being on-top of the ball at ball contact, swooping across the ball with the foot, and minimizing ball sideways movements. Acknowledgements We thank the participants and members from the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance for their assistance. References 1. Lim et al., Int J Perform Anal Sport. 2009;9(3):354-367. 2. Quarrie and Hopkins, J Sci Med Sport. 2015;18(2):195-198.

year: 2018

title: Comparing high dimensional word embeddings trained on medical text to bag-of-words for predicting medical codes

authors: Yogarajan, Vithya

subjects: computer science

abstract: Word embeddings are a useful tool for extracting knowledge from the free-form text contained in electronic health records, but it has become commonplace to train such word embeddings on data that do not accurately reflect how language is used in a healthcare context. We use prediction of medical codes as an example application to compare the accuracy of word embeddings trained on health corpora to those trained on more general collections of text. It is shown that both an increase in embedding dimensionality and an increase in the volume of health-related training data improves prediction accuracy. We also present a comparison to the traditional bag-of-words feature representation, demonstrating that in many cases, this conceptually simple method for representing text results in superior accuracy to that of word embeddings.

text: Comparing high dimensional word embeddings trained on medical text to bag-of-words for predicting medical codes Word embeddings are a useful tool for extracting knowledge from the free-form text contained in electronic health records, but it has become commonplace to train such word embeddings on data that do not accurately reflect how language is used in a healthcare context. We use prediction of medical codes as an example application to compare the accuracy of word embeddings trained on health corpora to those trained on more general collections of text. It is shown that both an increase in embedding dimensionality and an increase in the volume of health-related training data improves prediction accuracy. We also present a comparison to the traditional bag-of-words feature representation, demonstrating that in many cases, this conceptually simple method for representing text results in superior accuracy to that of word embeddings.

year: 2020

title: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

text: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

year: 2019