Short team reflection to improve tactics in women's underwater rugby
Effects of a Tactical Programme for Critical Thinking (TPCT) on Tactical Efficiency in Elite Women's Underwater Rugby: a Randomised Controlled Trial
This test sees if adding short, guided team reflections during practice helps elite women's underwater rugby players improve tactical play.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 26 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Federal University of Vicosa Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Medellín) |
| Trial ID | NCT07458581 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, parallel two-arm trial will assign rostered elite women's underwater rugby players 1:1 to either a matched tactical training program with brief structured reflections (TPCT) or an active control using the same training time for passive recovery. Both groups complete 18 sessions over six weeks (three per week) in a marked underwater area, with sessions including a coach introduction, constrained small-sided games, and substantial free play. The TPCT group performs ~3-minute guided, five-question reflections between small-sided bouts, while the control group uses the same intervals for passive recovery and hydration. Tactical efficiency is measured by video-recorded standardized 3v3 scrimmages coded with the RUSTAC checklist at baseline and after six weeks.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are female elite underwater rugby players aged 18 or older who are officially rostered on the participating high-performance team and can attend baseline and 6-week assessments.
Not a fit: Players with current injuries, those who would miss more than 20% of sessions, or recreational/non-rostered athletes are unlikely to receive benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, teams could improve in-game decision-making and coordination without adding physical training time.
How similar studies have performed: Reflective and guided-debriefing approaches have shown tactical learning benefits in other team sports, but applying a fixed short-question TPCT protocol in elite women's underwater rugby is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female elite underwater rugby players aged ≥18 years. * Officially rostered members of the participating high-performance team/squad. * Regular training participation (minimum 2 sessions per week) in the team's programme. * Able to complete study procedures at Baseline (Visit 1) and Post-intervention at 6 weeks (Visit 2), including standardized 3v3 scrimmage video assessment. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Current injury, illness, or medical condition that prevents full participation in regular underwater rugby training during the intervention period. * Anticipated prolonged absence (e.g., travel/competing/other commitments) that would prevent meaningful exposure to the intervention dose (e.g., missing \>20% of sessions). * Inability to complete the assessment procedures reliably (e.g., unable to participate in the standardized 3v3 assessment or comply with study instructions). * Declines participation or withdraws consent.
Where this trial is running
Medellín
- Tecnológico de Antioquia — Medellín, Colombia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Samuel Jose GAVIRIA ALZATE, PhD
- Email: samuel.gaviria@tdea.edu.co
- Phone: +573192772912
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.