U.S. Rugby-7s Injuries in Levels Of Play

Abstract

PURPOSE: Rugby-7s is an emerging collision sport in the U.S. Due to the sport’s high incidence of injury, evidence-based data on competition levels and ages will help guide injury prevention in the U.S. market. METHODS: The Rugby Injury Survey & Evaluation (RISE) report methodology was used to collect injury incidence (per 1000 player hours (ph)) among competitive levels (Colts/Under-19 (U19), college, senior/adult community, sub-elite, and elite). The U.S. Rugby-7s national circuit (2010-2014) included a total of 24,418 players. RESULTS: Overall injury incidence was 107.3/1000 ph (73% men; 27% women) (time-loss: 33.7/1000 ph, n=502; medical-attention: 72.9/1000 ph, n=1068). Elite players were injured more frequently (overall 155.8/1000 ph; time-loss 47.0/1000 ph) compared to other levels (P=0.002). Mean severity among all injuries was 44 days (63% with follow-up data). Injuries were mostly new acute injuries (98%), and occurred during the tackle (U19/Colt 80%, college 68%, senior 70%, sub-elite 69%, elite 71%). Most common time-loss injuries were ligament sprains (32%) in the lower extremity (43%). Head/neck injuries occurred often among all levels (overall 22%, 23.7/1000 ph; time-loss 21%, 7.3/1000 ph). Players who wore mouth guards had lower severity from head/neck injuries than those who did not, in our college and elite population (college 21d vs. 41d; P=0.045; elite 11d vs. 25d, P=0.026, respectively). Concussion incidence was highest among U19 players (11.4/1000 ph). A higher incidence of injuries were seen on artificial fields (114.2/1000 ph) than natural grass (107.2/1000 ph; P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Injury surveillance on U.S. Rugby-7s among playing levels is necessary to obtain evidence-based data to nurture injury prevention. Head/neck injuries were common in all U.S. levels of play, which may highlight the need to evaluate tackling techniques which may decrease injury rates. Concussion rates due to tackling in the U19 playing level supports the need for more resources and education dedicated to these players to reduce injuries. The use of mouth guards among all levels, may reduce severity of head/neck injuries, and should be emphasized as an injury prevention measure in our playing population. Finally, natural grass may be a safer surface for Rugby-7’s open-style play.