The awareness, knowledge, and experience of female rugby players of contact breast injuries and exercise induced breast pain – An international survey

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the existing knowledge, awareness, and experience among female Rugby Union players of contact breast injuries (CBI) and exercise induced breast pain (EIBP) internationally.Methods: A cross sectional survey on CBI and EIBP, targeting active, adult female Rugby Union players, was developed and internationally disseminated. Responses were collected using Qualtrics and analysed using Microsoft PowerBI.Results: Responses from 483 female Rugby players (age 27.1±6.4 years, height 167.4±9.8 cm, mass 75.0±15.6 kg) from 29 different countries were collected. The overall awareness of CBI or EIBP and their potential future complications was poor, with 55.4% and 64.0% of responses respectively being either unaware or very unaware of same. Only 24.7% of respondents were likely or very likely to report either CBI or EIBP to team personnel. Main reasons for unwillingness to report included a lack of awareness of potential future complications or treatment modalities, and a perception that the breast pain or injury incurred was not severe enough. Of those who had suffered from either CBI, EIBP or both (51.8%), between 22.2% and 23.7% chose not to report the pain or injury. Less than 10% of those who did report, received treatment.Conclusion: The study identified a noteworthy occurrence of CBI and EIBP but reluctance and barriers to report same. Knowledge of potential future complications and treatment options for CBI and EIBP was poor. Future education pieces should address these shortfalls. The study further uncovers the need for structured prospective recording of CBI and EIBP.