Injury incidence and selected biomechanical, postural and anthropometric characteristics contributing to musculoskeletal injuries in rugby union players

Abstract

The aims of this study were firstly to determine the nature and incidence of injuries among U/21 rugby union players at the Rugby Institute of the North-West University (South Africa) and secondly to examine which of the selected intrinsic characteristics contributed to musculoskeletal injuries obtained during the first five months of the 2005-season. A prospective once-off subject availability study was conducted. Only players of the U/21-squad were eligible to participate in the study (N=49). Biomechanical, postural and anthropometric assessments were performed on all subjects before the start of the 2005-season. All injuries obtained were recorded by means of a validated rugby union injury report questionnaire. A stepwise discriminant analysis was performed to determine the independent characteristics with the greatest contribution to injuries after which the effect size index (“better than chance”) (I>0.3) was calculated to determine the practical significant validity of selected variables. A total of 66 injuries with an injury rate of 8.6/1000 training hours and 61.8/1000 game hours was reported. Severe injuries accounted for 53% of all injuries to forward players with the ankle being the most injured anatomical region. In the back line severe injuries accounted for 68% with the shoulder being the most injured region. The statistical analysis identified practical significant contributing characteristics in players who presented with lower extremity injuries. The strongest predictors for lower extremity injuries (I>0.3) were uneven hips, pronated feet, tight hamstrings, anatomical leg length differences, gait pronation and a tall stature. It was concluded that certain postural and biomechanical imbalances in the lower extremities could contribute to injury among rugby union players.

Keywords: Rugby union injuries, intrinsic risk factors, biomechanical abnormalities, postural faults, body composition.