Comparative Injury Studies

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Comparative Injury Studies

• Michael Keating, MS, ATC, CSCS
• USA Rugby
• Medical Services

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What does everyone want to know???
Is rugby safer than football??
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Recent Literature Review

1. InjuriesHS Rugby Players 05-06 Collins et al
   2008 (RIO Rugby study)
2. Collegiate Rugby Union Injuries Kerr et al
   2008
3. Injuries in US HS Athletes Darrow et al 2009
4. Tackle Injuries in Pro Rugby Quarrie Hopkins
   2008

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RIO Study

1. Online reporting of 60 clubs during 2005-2006
2. Online reporting mechanism
3. Looked at over 62,000 player exposures
4. Examined over 290 total injuries
5. 75 of the reporting was completed by coach

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Rio Study
Injury rate per 1,000 player exposures 2005 Rugby Rio 2006 Rugby Rio HS Football
Total 6.6 4.7 4.4
Game 15.9 15.0 12.1
Practice 1.5 1.1 2.5
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Rio Study
Injury rate per 10,000 player exposures 2005 Rugby Rio 2006 Rugby Rio HS Football
Concussion 8.6 8.2 4.6
Fracture 8.8 8.2 4.9
Knee 5.2 6.3 6.6
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RIO Study

1. Fractures, Concussions and Ligament Sprains were
   the most common injuries each comprised 16
   of all injuries
2. Almost 60 of all injuries occurred during the
   tackle, 75 involved contact with another player
3. Females had more ligament injuries as compared to
   males (20.8 gt 14.9)
4. More likely to suffer injury in game v. practice
   (101)

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Collegiate Rugby Injuries - USA

1. Online reporting of 70 clubs during 2005-2006
2. Online reporting mechanism
3. Looked at almost 70,000 player exposures
4. Examined 850 total injuries
5. 83 of the reporting was completed by coach

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Collegiate Rugby Injury Study
Injury rate per 1,000 player exposures Rugby Football
Game 22.5 41.4 (35.9)
Practice 5.5 5.9
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Collegiate Rugby Injury Study
Injury rate per 1,000 player exposures Rugby Football
Concussion 2.0 4.5
Fracture 1.5
Sprains 3.5
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College Rugby Injury Study

1. Ligament Sprains, Muscle Strains and Concussions
   were the most common injuries
2. Almost 50 of all injuries occurred during the
   tackle, 75 involved contact with another player
3. More likely to suffer injury in game v. practice
   (41)
4. Possible lower injury rates as compared to other
   studies secondary to lower standard of play

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Future Direction

1. Continue to utilize and fund research focusing on
   youth and college rugby
2. Higher participation of clubs
3. Reliable reporting from medical personnel
4. Equipment variations/improvements
5. Tackle, scrum, lineout, ruck and maul education
6. Anthropometric measures of players

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Injury Prevention for Rugby
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Acute Injuries vs. Gradual Onset/Overuse
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Overuse or Gradual Onset

• Used to be a prime concern and still is at Elite
  Level
• Identify underlying pathology and pathomechanics
  during screen

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Methods

• Proper Dynamic Warm-up
• Prescribe exercise specific to demands
• Injury Prevention programs??
• Long Term Athletic Development Model

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Acute Injuries

• Previously little to no thought in this arena
  and now IS the FOCUS
• How do we approach this??

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Acute Injuries

• Absolutely begins and ends with education and
  coaching!

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Acute Injuries

• Techniques/skills especially in contact
• Training Sessions contact vs. limited contact
• LTAD

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Optimal development of young players

• Influence of growth and maturity on early success
• Dangers of overspecialisation at an early age
  (physical and skills-related)
• Long-term consequences (skill-base, injury,
  burnout)
• Some evidence (Hartwig et al 2008) that high
  training volumes better tolerated than high
  competition volumes
• Overall lack of information urgent need for
  longitudinal observational studies form 16 21
  years

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Anti-Doping in Rugby
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Key is early education that is both
Consistent/Persistent Relevant
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• Resources
• USADA www.usantidoping.org
• IRB new site www.keeprugbyclean.com
• WADA