Activate Programme

A physical preparation resource that can reduce injuries in rugby

EVIDENCE BEHIND ACTIVATE

26-40% FEWER SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

 29-60% FEWER CONCUSSIONS

 

The programme was developed using scientific evidence and expert opinion, whilst feedback from active coaches helped to ensure that the programme is suitable to use across community-level rugby settings. Here you'll find a range of resources to support you.

Research studies that have assessed the effects of using Activate can be found here:

Adult: Attwood et al., 2017

Youth: Hislop et al., 2017

Youth: Barden et al., 2021

The programme manual can be found here.

There are four versions of Activate:

 

Under-15 (13–15 years)

Download the Activate Under-15 Cue Cards

 

Under-16 (15–16 years)

Download the Activate Under-16 Cue Cards

 

Under-18 (16–18 years)

Download the Activate Under-18 Cue Cards

 

Adult (18+ years)

Download the Activate Adult Cue Cards

 

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.