Citation

Mathema P, Moore I, Ranson C. Br. J. Sports Med. 2014; 48(7): 635.

Affiliation

Sports injury Research Group, Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.202

PMID

24620243

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This report contrasts injury rates, types and potential risk factors between two equal length yet markedly different international rugby campaigns. OBJECTIVE: To compare tournament injury problems and potential risk factors for single nation versus combined nation international rugby teams. DESIGN: Details of all time-loss injuries, training and match exposure for the Wales Team during the 2013; 6 Nations, and British and Irish Lions (BIL) during the Australia tour. Analysis was based on consensus injury surveillance methods. SETTING: International Rugby Union. PARTICIPANTS: All Wales (n=36) and 2013 BIL squad (n=45) players. RISK FACTOR ASSESSMENT: Contrasting injury exposure, rates and severity. MAINOOUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Training and match injury; exposure, incidence, (per 1000hours), prevalence (% of players unavailable) and days-lost per injury. RESULTS: Wales played 5 matches and BIL 10 in a similar time period. 81% of Wales' squad players played in at least one match as compared to 98% of BIL. Wales had 28% more training hours exposure. Wales had a higher injury incidence/1000 hrs than BIL (total 27 vs. 18, match 260 vs. 90, training 5 vs. 4) and prevalence (15 vs. 10%), but fewer days-lost per injury (11 vs. 17). For Wales, 67% of the squad sustained injuries, with an average of 1.6 injuries per injured player whilst 54% of BIL sustained injuries (1.1 per injured player). Forty-seven percent of Wales players started in a match and half were replaced in at least one game as compared to 62% of BIL players and 92% being replaced. Of the match injuries, 81% of Wales' players, versus 56% BIL, completed the match. CONCLUSIONS: Higher injury rates for Wales may have been due to factors such as; lower substitution rates, greater starter match exposure and previously injured players returning to play in the same tournament.

Language: en