Citation

Usman J, McIntosh AS. Br. J. Sports Med. 2013; 47(6): 374-379.

Affiliation

Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2012-091224

PMID

22904294

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There have been few in-depth studies of upper limb injury epidemiology in rugby union football, despite reports that they accounted for between 14% and 28% of all rugby injuries. OBJECTIVE: To report on upper limb injury incidence, injury severity and to identify the risk factors associated with upper limb injuries, for example, level of play, season (years) and playing position. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study across five rugby seasons from 2004 to 2008. SETTING: Formal rugby competitions-suburban, provincial and international. PARTICIPANTS: 1475 adult male rugby players in Colts, Grade and Elite competitions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: An upper limb injury resulting in a missed game and its characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 61 598 athletic exposures (AE) and 606 upper limb injuries were recorded. About 66% of the injuries were to the shoulder. The overall upper limb injury incidence rate (IIR) was 9.84 injuries/1000 AE (95% CI 9.06 to 10.62). Statistically significant associations were found between upper limb injuries and level of play; and between shoulder injuries and playing position (p<0.05). No association was found between upper limb and shoulder injuries and study year. The overall upper limb IIR decreased as the level of play increased; 10.74 upper limb injuries/1000 AE (95% CI 9.93 to 11.56) in Colts to 6.07 upper limb injuries/1000 AE (95% CI 5.46 to 6.69) in Elite. CONCLUSIONS: The upper limb IIR decreased as the level of play increased indicating that age, level of skill and playing experience may be risk factors for upper limb injury.

Language: en