A prospective study of the incidence and nature of injuries to adult rugby players.
The incidence and nature of injuries occurring in 8 adult club rugby teams was followed prospectively during the 1988 rugby season. The findings were compared with those from two similar studies in schoolboy rugby players. A total of 114 injuries were sustained by 78 players; 85% of injuries occurred during matches. Injury was most prevalent during the first 8 weeks of the season and again after the mid-season break. Hookers (19%), wings (15%), fullbacks (11%) and centres (10%) were the players most often injured. Injury occurred most commonly when the player was tackled (26%), during open play (21%) and during the loose scrum (17%). Muscles (33%) and ligaments (32%) were the anatomical structures most often injured. Injury caused 35% of injured players to miss more than 35 days of rugby. Thirteen per cent of injured players did not play again for the rest of the season and only 14% of injured players returned to rugby after 7 days or less. Prolonged disability was associated with ligament injuries (57%), dislocations (17%) and fractures (10%).
Clark
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DR
Department of Physiology, University of Cape Town.
Roux
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C
Noakes
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TD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors