Collaborative sensorimotor intelligence: the scrum as a model

Using M-Rex, a rugby scrum simulator, we developed tools to describe scrummaging forces and to prevent accident.

We tested three groups of frontliners at national level. The simulator was passive or responded to the player(s) to simulate the reaction of opposite players. Sensors in the beam measured the force exerted by each of the players. Their movements were recorded with a Codamotion system.

The force signals exhibited two phases: a transient phase, similar to a damped sinusoid with a dominant frequency around 5 Hz when the players scrummaged alone and with a wider range when playing together; then, a sustained phase could be decomposed in two components: a DC component remained stable whether frontliners played alone or together. In contrast, its variability decreased when the frontliners played together compared with when they played alone. As for the oscillations, the frontliners exhibited a large variability in their ability to synchronise their efforts during the sustained phase. The synchronisation between the hooker and the props was quite efficient, while it was always missing between two props. Finally, we were able to study postural readjustments and their synchronisation among players during the sustained phase.

This study shows that by using adequate methods, it is possible to assess the frontline collective intelligence. These findings may pave the way for innovative methods of training to improve players' collective behaviour.