Influence of rugby injuries on players' subsequent health and lifestyle: beginning a long term follow up

Abstract

Objectives-To describe the current rugby playing status of a cohort of 1169 men who had previously participated in an epidemiological survey of rugby injuries during the 1993-1994 season, and assess the consequences of rugby injuries sustained. Methods-In May 1998, 911 (78%) men completed a questionnaire reporting their current involvement in rugby and the influence that the 324 (71%) injuries they had sustained four years earlier had since had on their health and wellbeing. Results-The most common reasons given by the 390 (43%) ex-players for ceasing to play rugby were family (10%), employment (25%), and an injury sustained while playing rugby (26%), 80% of which were dislocations, strains, and sprains, mainly to the knee (35%), back (14%), and shoulder (9%). A significantly ( 2 test 21.7, df = 1, p<0.001) higher proportion of current players (90%) undertook (non-rugby) sporting activities compared with ex-players (78%). Few ex-players undertook coaching (12%) and refereeing (2%). Only 22 (9%) men reported significant negative eVects to employment, family life, and health up to mid-1998 from injuries that occurred during the 1993-1994 season, although the impact on their lifestyle had been substantial in some cases. Conclusions-With the recent increase in the incidence of dislocation, strain, and sprain injuries in rugby football, the findings of this follow up could have a great impact on the game in the future. Although this survey has shown that, so far, only a small proportion of players suVer significant eVects of rugby injuries, four years is not long enough to assess the long term eVects. This cohort of rugby players need to be followed up for at least a further 20 years to determine whether there is a higher incidence of subsequent degenerative joint disease or other long term sequelae to injuries sustained while playing rugby. (Br J Sports Med 2001;35:38-42)

Systematic review of rugby injuries in children and adolescents under 21 years

“…In players under the age of 20 years, interference in studies (23%), rugby-related injuries (19%) and disillusionment with the game (20%) were the most cited reasons for players giving up the sport 19. The significant impact of injuries on player's well-being and development calls for the institution of measures to help reduce the risk and occurrence of rugby-related injuries.…”

Health amongst former rugby union players: A cross-sectional study of morbidity and health-related quality of life

“…Little is currently known about morbidity, healthy aging or health related quality of life amongst former rugby union (‘rugby’) players 2 – 4 , 10 . Injury incidence within rugby is higher than for non-contact sports, and differs between levels of play, with injury most common at the elite levels of play 11 .…”

Evidence in support of the call to ban the tackle and harmful contact in school rugby: a response to World Rugby

“…Therefore, perfecting tackle technique for the long term is of little benefit. A survey conducted in a Scottish Borders rugby playing district among keen club players found that 19% of the reasons given by under 20 players for stopping playing were connected to rugby injury and a further 20% were connected to disillusionment with the game 60. There is no evidence that removing the tackle will have a negative impact on children who go on to play adult rugby.…”