TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Incidence and nature of medical attendance injuries in English community rugby union
JO  - Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine
A1  - Roberts, Simon P.
A1  - Trewartha, Grant
A1  - England, Mike
A1  - Stokes, Keith A.
SP  - e2325967114562781
EP  - e2325967114562781
VL  - 2
IS  - 12
N2  - BACKGROUND: Previous research has identified injury patterns during community-level rugby union match play, but none have investigated the frequency and reasons for on-field injury management. <br><br>PURPOSE: To establish the frequency, reasons, and patterns of on-field injury management in English community rugby, including differences between different levels of play. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. <br><br>METHODS: Over 3 seasons, injury information was collected from 46 (2009-2010), 67 (2010-2011), and 76 (2011-2012) English community clubs (Rugby Football Union [RFU] levels 3-9). Club injury management staff reported information for all medical attendances during match play, including details on the injury site and type, playing position (seasons 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 only), and whether the player was removed from play. Clubs were subdivided into groups A (RFU levels 3 and 4 [mainly semiprofessional]; n = 39), B (RFU levels 5 and 6 [mainly amateur]; n = 71), and C (RFU levels 7-9 [social and recreational]; n = 79) to differentiate playing levels. <br><br>RESULTS: The overall medical attendance incidence was 229 per 1000 player-match hours (95% CI, 226-232), with 45 players removed per 1000 player-match hours (95% CI, 44-46). Attendance incidence for group A (294 per 1000 player-match hours; 95% CI, 287-301) was higher compared with group B (213; 95% CI, 208-218; P <.001) and C (204; 95% CI, 200-209; P <.001). There was a higher incidence of attendances to forwards (254; 95% CI, 249-259) compared with backs (191; 95% CI, 187-196; P <.001). The head was the most common specific site of injury (55 per 1000 player-match hours; 95% CI, 53-57) but the lower limb region overall accounted for most attendances (87; 95% CI, 85-89) and the greatest chance of removal from the pitch (22; 95% CI, 21-23). <br><br>CONCLUSION: With the likelihood of 1 injury for each team per match severe enough for the player to leave the pitch and with at least 1 attendance for a head injury per match, there is clear evidence that pitch side staff should be trained to recognize potentially serious injuries.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2325-9671
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2325967114562781
ID  - ref1
ER  -