Injuries associated with elite participation in women's rugby over a competitive season: an initial investigation

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to document and analyse injuries sustained over a competitive season by an elite squad of female rugby players. Design. A prospective cohort observational study of an international squad of female rugby players over a competitive season. Setting. Field-based data collection. Participants. Thirty-five players in the England Women's rugby squad 2001–2002. All players provided written informed consent for the collection of personal and injury data relevant for this study. Method. All information relating to injuries sustained was compiled by the medical team using a standard reporting (questionnaire) format. Basic health and personal details (age, height, weight, position played, number of years playing rugby, previous injuries, menstrual cycle information) were collected at the beginning of the season and fitness trainers provided game and training time exposure data. Results. A total of 27 injuries were recorded in 18 players. Only one player sustained three injuries. The most frequent injury by category was as follows: player position (prop, n=9), severity (severe, n=12), phase of play (tackling, n=8), site (knee, n=6), diagnosis (medial collateral ligament or ankle sprain, n=4), and month (January, n=7). Incidence rates per 1000 athletic exposures and 1000 playing hours were 7.2 and 3.6, respectively. Variables that were either significantly different between injured and non-injured players ( t-tests) or associated with injury by chi-squared analysis were age (injured were older), body mass (injured were heavier), and player position (more forwards were injured). Conclusions. These descriptive data provide the first insight into the injuries associated with elite level performance of a women's international rugby team and provide a springboard for future research.