Injury incidence and balancein Rugby players

Abstract

Objective: This study determined and correlated injury incidence and balance in rugby players.

Methods: A prospective survey with balance testing was conducted on first year rugby academy players (N=114). Injury incidence, static and dynamic balance were tested pre and post-season using a Biosway portable balance system. The data was analysed using paired and independent samples t-tests at p<0.05, Odds ratios, and Spearman’s correlation coefficients.

Results: 75.50% participated, 71.40% were 18 years old, and 71.40% were White. Injury was sustained by 83% of players with the knee (25%) most commonly injured. Injury incidence was 1.52 per player with an injury rate of 5.95 injuries per 1000 match playing hours. The Stability Index increased significantly (p=0.03) by 15% in the medial/lateral direction post-season compared to pre-season. Significant differences in post-test anterior posterior and overall static and front and front right dynamic stability between injured and uninjured players were noted. Risk factors for injury included the scrum-half (14.80%) playing position, injuries in the 2nd half of the match (57%), and during contact (67%).

Conclusion: Injury incidence was related to static and dynamic balance in forward right direction only. 

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12669/pjms.306.5648

How to cite this:Jaco RM, Puckree T. Injury incidence and balance in Rugby players. Pak J Med Sci 2014;30(6):1346-1350.   doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12669/pjms.306.5648

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.