Effect of nationwide injury prevention programme on serious spinal injuries in New Zealand rugby union: ecological study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of RugbySmart, a nationwide educational injury prevention programme, on the frequency of spinal cord injuries.


METHODS
Ecological study.


METHODS
New Zealand rugby union.


METHODS
Population at risk of injury comprised all New Zealand rugby union players.


METHODS
From 2001, all New Zealand rugby coaches and referees have been required to complete RugbySmart, which focuses on educating rugby participants about physical conditioning, injury management, and safe techniques in the contact phases of rugby.


METHODS
Numbers of all spinal injuries due to participation in rugby union resulting in permanent disablement in 1976-2005, grouped into five year periods; observed compared with predicted number of spinal injuries in 2001-5.


RESULTS
Eight spinal injuries occurred in 2001-5, whereas the predicted number was 18.9 (relative rate=0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 1.14). Only one spinal injury resulted from scrums over the period; the predicted number was 9.0 (relative rate=0.11, 0.02 to 0.74). Corresponding observed and predicted rates for spinal injuries resulting from other phases of play (tackle, ruck, and maul) were 7 and 9.0 (relative rate=0.83, 0.29 to 2.36).


CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of the RugbySmart programme coincided with a reduction in the rate of disabling spinal injuries arising from scrums in rugby union. This study exemplifies the benefit of educational initiatives in injury prevention and the need for comprehensive injury surveillance systems for evaluating injury prevention initiatives in sport.
Quarrie
Kenneth L
KL
Research & Injury Prevention, New Zealand Rugby Union, PO Box 2172, Wellington, New Zealand. ken.quarrie@nzrugby.co.nz
Gianotti
Simon M
SM
Hopkins
Will G
WG
Hume
Patria A
PA
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*