Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported shoulder dysfunction using the Rugby Shoulder Score (RSS) reported in arbitrary units (AU) of rugby players available for match selection (uninjured). DesignCross-sectional survey. MethodsPaper survey at the mid-point of the season of uninjured players (n = 86 males (mean age (±SD): 26 ± 6.9y) from 8 squads (professional n = 34; amateur; n = 52)), using the RSS, subjective impact on rugby performance and previous shoulder injury, analysed using a Mann-Whitney U test. Results55% of players reported a level of RSS dysfunction despite being uninjured. Players who also reported their shoulder was impacting on performance had significantly higher median RSS (61, IQR 28AU, p = 0.02) than those who reported no impact on performance (40, IQR 22AU). Conclusions: Findings from this study show that over half of players were playing with a level of self-reported shoulder dysfunction. This figure is higher in the professional game, for those with a history of previous injury and for forwards.
Highlights
The incidence of injury related to rugby training and matches have been reported in the codes of rugby (Fitzpatrick et al, 2018; Kemp et al, 2017)
This study presents new data that shows a high prevalence of perceived shoulder dysfunction in rugby players available for match selection who were not currently receiving medical attention
This study showed that professional rugby players reported higher prevalence of perceived shoulder dysfunction and severity compared to amateurs
Summary
The incidence of injury related to rugby training and matches have been reported in the codes of rugby (Fitzpatrick et al, 2018; Kemp et al, 2017). Injuries in rugby and other collision sports are commonly identified through time lost from matches and training. Not all injuries result in timeloss, which may underestimate the true burden of injury in a particular sport (Bahr, 2009). This may be especially true in sports whereby injury is of insidious onset (Docking et al, 2018). Capturing data on injury or discomfort, which does not result in time loss but does alter a player's perception of function may be the first step to reducing the incidence or severity of future time-loss injuries
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