Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Yeomans, C;Kenny, IC;Cahalan, R;Warrington, GD;Harrison, AJ;Purtill, H;Lyons, M;Campbell, MJ;Glynn, LG;Comyns, TM
2021
November
Sports Health-A Multidisciplinary Approach
Injury Trends in Irish Amateur Rugby: An Epidemiological Comparison of Men and Women
Published
8 ()
Optional Fields
13
540
547
Background:Rugby union is a physically demanding sport that carries an inherent risk of injury. Despite being a popular and widely played team sport, little is known about injuries occurring across the male and female amateur game.Purpose:To establish and compare injury incidence, nature, and severity in male and female Irish amateur rugby union.Study Design:Prospective cohort study.Methods:Data were collected prospectively from 25 male teams (959 players) and 8 female teams (234 players) over 2 full seasons. Both time-loss (24-hour time-loss injury definition) and non-time-loss match injury reports were collected, alongside match exposure data.Results:Time-loss match injury incidence rates were 49.1/1000 and 35.6/1000 player-hours for male and female players, respectively. Concussion and ankle ligament sprains were the most common diagnoses for male (5.6/1000 and 4.4/1000 player-hours, respectively) and female players (5.5/1000 and 3.9/1000 player-hours, respectively). Anterior cruciate ligament injuries presented the highest injury burden for male and female players with 200.3 and 307.2 days of absence per 1000 player-hours, respectively. In female players, 83% of noncontact injuries occurred in the fourth quarter of match play.Conclusion:While female players had a lower overall injury incidence rate compared with male players, concussion and ankle ligament injuries were the most common injuries in both cohorts. In female players, a high rate of noncontact injuries in the second half points to the need for strength and conditioning training programs to reduce fatigue-related injuries.
THOUSAND OAKS
1941-7381
10.1177/1941738121997145
Grant Details