Abstract
This study aimed to analyze shoulder injury incidence and severity to reduce players' risk of sustaining injuries and missing playing time. Ninety-five South African Premier team rugby Union players (mean: 25 years of age) took part in the study with injury data collected through the use of injury reports. This study found that approximately two of every five participants sampled incurred a primary shoulder injury with dislocation being the most prevalent. Twenty-one (80.8%) of the participants that experienced a primary shoulder injury also sustained a secondary shoulder injury with rotator cuff tears being most predominant. Only three players were found to have suffered tertiary shoulder injuries. The injuries were mainly related to tackling during training and matches. Twenty players were found to have adhered to a strength and conditioning program prior to their injuries and 14 of the injured participants received or adhered to a prehabilitation program. Eight of the injured players also suffered from recurrent injuries with dislocations being the most common. RESULTS indicated that specific positions in rugby are at higher risk of shoulder injuries than others and that with the correct preventive measures put in place, the severity of injuries can be reduced.
Highlights
MethodsNinety-five South African rugby union players (mean: 25 years of age) competing in the Premier league during 2012 took part in the study and provided written informed consent
The present study found the main mechanisms of the observed shoulder injuries to be related to tackling during training and matches, followed by overtraining/incorrect training techniques, which were identified by the relevant coach(es) as performed during tackles, line-outs, scrumming and mauling processes based on existing rugby union standards and rules
This study provides a detailed analysis of injury incidence and severity with the purpose of reducing players’ risk of sustaining injuries and missing playing time
Summary
Ninety-five South African rugby union players (mean: 25 years of age) competing in the Premier league during 2012 took part in the study and provided written informed consent. Players were included in the study when they became or ceased to be members of the club’s first team squad.[1] The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa and applicable rugby union clubs. The present study focused on teams, as well as individual players, to compare the incidence of shoulder injuries between the clubs and performed a risk analysis on the possible reasons for the occurrences. A randomized study of individual players and their training practices often provide more realistic results, this proved difficult for team sports such as rugby union in that these sports involve different player positions, each with its own exposure to accident hazards (injury risk) and physical demands. Data due to illness and/or non-sport-related medical conditions were not included in the study.[1]
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