Before and after – the development and assessment of an education intervention about female breast health in rugby union

Purpose – A large international study of female Rugby Union athletes has demonstrated that 50% of players have reported a contact breast injury (CBI), exercise-induced breast pain (EIBP) or both. Despite the potential adverse health and performance implications of these occurrences, knowledge and awareness of CBI or EIBP in the female Rugby Union game is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and assess an interactive female-tailored education intervention (EI) addressing this gap. Design/methodology/approach – The EI, based on current literature, included videos and multiple-choice questions and was delivered to 61 female Rugby Union players and 7 support staff across various playing levels. Pre- and post-intervention knowledge and awareness were analysed using paired t-tests, and post-EI semi-structured questions explored potential future behaviour change. Findings – Awareness of potential future health complications, measured via 5-point Likert-scale, significantly increased for both players and support staff. Players showed the largest effect size (d = 2.30) and a mean difference (MD) of 2.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.47, 3.10), support staff demonstrated a similarly strong effect (d = 2.44, MD = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.69, 3.74). Over 98% of players noted that their future behaviour around CBI and EIBP had been positively influenced by the EI, including increased likeliness to report such. Originality/value – This work is pioneering in its development and assessment of a sport-specific EI on the underrepresented topic of breast health in women’s Rugby Union. The findings indicate a void of knowledge and awareness around the topic, but reveal high receptiveness and potential future behavioural change amongst participants.