The relationship between physical and wellness measures and injury in amateur rugby union players

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate factors associated with injury in amateur male and female rugby union players.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: Amateur rugby clubs in Ireland.

Participants: Male (n = 113) and female (n = 24) amateur rugby union players from 5 of the top 58 amateur clubs in Ireland.

Main outcome measures: Pre-season testing included physical tests assessing hamstring flexibility, dorsiflexion range of movement, adductor muscle strength and foot position. Wellness questionnaires assessed sleep quality (PSQI), coping skills (ACSI-28) and support levels (PASS-Q). Players were monitored throughout the season for injury.

Results: The time-loss match injury incidence rate was 48.2/1000 player hours for males and 45.2/1000 player hours for females. Two risk profiles emerged involving; 'age + navicular drop + training pitch surface' (53%) and 'age + navicular drop + groin strength' (16%). An inverse relationship between groin strength and groin injury was found for the 'backs' players (-0.307, p < 0.05). Using the PSQI, 61% of players had poor sleep quality, however no relationship between the wellness questionnaires and injury was found.

Conclusion: Two injury risk profiles emerged, associated with subsequent injury occurrence. Using these risk profiles, individualized prevention strategies may be designed regarding deficits in groin muscle strength and identifying foot alignment.

Keywords: Injury risk; Injury surveillance; Rugby Union; Screening.