Posture of rugby league players and its relationship to non-contact lower limb injury: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify posture deviations in rugby league players, and to observe relationships between posture and the incidence of non-contact lower limb injury. DesignProspective cohort. SettingLaboratory and on-field. ParticipantsJunior representative, semi-professional and professional rugby league players (n = 207). Main outcome measuresStatic posture scores from photographs (Watson and MacDonncha tool) in pre-season; non-contact lower limb injury surveillance and exposure data. MethodsChi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to observe relationships between postural components and the incidence of non-contact lower limb injury. Results8.7% of players sustained a quadriceps injury; 7.2% sustained a calf injury. Semi-professional and professional players had the highest injury rates. The most common posture deviations were having a forward shoulder position (46.9%), a forward head position (33.3%), a varus knee interspace (32.9%) or a lumbar lordosis (30.9%). A moderate C-scoliosis deviation was associated with a decrease in injury risk (OR 1.57 95% CI 1.00-2.46 p = 0.052). Included in the model was player weight, which was associated with an increased risk of injury (OR 1.04 95% CI 1.01-1.07 p = 0.010). ConclusionsAlthough postural deviations are common in rugby league players, given the lack of association with injury, they may not warrant intervention.