@article{ref1,
title="Injury profile of American women Rugby-7s",
journal="Medicine and science in sports and exercise",
year="2016",
author="Ma, Richard and Lopez, Victor and Weinstein, Meryle G. and Chen, James L. and Black, Christopher M. and Gupta, Arun T. and Harbst, Justin D. and Victoria, Christian and Allen, Answorth A.",
volume="48",
number="10",
pages="1957-1966",
abstract="PURPOSE: To determine incidence (injuries/1000 playing hours (ph)), severity (days absence), and cause of match injuries in U.S. women Rugby-7s. <br><br>METHODS: A prospective injury epidemiological study (2010-2013) of 3,876 under-19 to elite/national female Rugby-7s players (non-elite=3324; elite=552) on 323 teams (non-elite=277; elite=46). Applying methodology and injury definitions compliant with international consensus statement on rugby research. Injuries occurred in USA Rugby sanctioned tournament series: USA Rugby Local Area (2010), Territorial Union (2011-2013), National and All-Star Sevens Series; and USA Sevens Invitational (2011-12) and Collegiate Rugby Championships (2012). <br><br>RESULTS: 120 time-loss injuries were encountered (elite, n=15; 13%) with an injury rate of 46.3 injuries/1000 ph. Injury rates in non-elite were 49.3/1000 ph, and national level (elite) candidates at 32.6/1000 ph (RR: 1.5, P=0.130). Mean days missed found elite level players at 74.9 days per injury, whereas non-elite at 41.8 days (P=0.090). Acute injuries were significant (95%; RR: 1.9; P<0.001), resulting in immediate removal from the pitch (56%, P<0.001). Main mechanism of injury occurred tackling players (73%, P<0.001). The most common type of injury seen were ligament sprains (37%; 13.9/1000 ph), involving the lower extremity (45%, 20.5/1000 ph). Most common body parts injured were the knee and head/face (16%, 7.3/1000 ph). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Time-loss injuries occurred with frequency in the U.S. women Rugby-7s tournaments. Overall injury rates in U.S. women are lower than international elite men and women Rugby-7s. The head and neck area in our female players was injured at greater rates (16%) than international male Rugby-7s (5%). Injury prevention in U.S. women's Rugby-7s must focus on injuries of the knee, head and neck. Understanding risk factors will allow safe return-to-play decisions and formulate injury prevention protocols.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0195-9131",
doi="10.1249/MSS.0000000000000997",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000997"
}