Objective. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of an injury prevention programme on the incidence of rugby injuries (overall, intrinsic and extrinsic injuries) among 15-and 16-year-old schoolboys, over a 2-year period. A secondary aim was to identify the percentage of intrinsic rugby injuries associated with a previous injury history.
Design.A non-equivalent experimental-control group design with multiple post-tests.
Subjects.A-and B-team rugby players (N =120) from 2 secondary schools in the North West province of South Africa.Intervention. The injury prevention programme was planned according to the physical, motor, biomechanical and postural status of all players. Players in the experimental group received exercises to improve biomechanical and postural deficits identified, as well as drills to address shortcomings in speed, agility, and explosive power.
Main outcome measures.Rugby injuries were screened and injury data collected through the use of weekly sportsmedicine clinics.Results. Differences and changes in extrinsic injury incidence in this study could not be attributed to the effect of the prevention programme, and as a result injury trends related to overall injury incidence were inconsistent when the matching experimental and control groups were compared. However, the prevention programme did have a positive effect on the intrinsic injury incidence of both the
CORRESPONDENCE:E J Spamer School for Continuing Teachers' Education North-West University: Potchefstroom Campus Private Bag X6001
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