Injuries in elite men’s Rugby Union: An updated (2012-2020) meta-analysis of 11,620 match and training injuries

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Abstract

Background
The most recent meta-analytic review of injuries in elite senior men’s Rugby Union was published in 2013. The demands of the game at the elite level are continually changing alongside law amendments and developments in player preparation. As such, an updated meta-analysis of injury data in this setting is necessary.

Objective
To meta-analyse time-loss injury data in elite senior men’s Rugby Union between 2012 and 2020.

Methods
Electronic databases were searched using the keywords ‘rugby’ and ‘inj*’. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Injury incidence rate data were modelled using a mixed-effects Poisson regression model. Days missed data were modelled using a general linear mixed model.

Results
The included data encompassed a total of 8819 match injuries and 2801 training injuries. The overall incidence rate of injuries in matches was 91 per 1000 h (95% confidence interval (CI) 77–106). The estimated mean days missed per match injury was 27 days (95% CI 23–32). The overall incidence rate of match concussions was 12 per 1000 h (95% CI 9–15). The overall incidence rate of training injuries was 2.8 per 1000 h (95% CI 1.9–4.0). Playing level was not a significant effect modifier for any outcome.

Conclusions
The injury incidence rate and mean days missed per injury in the present meta-analysis were higher, but statistically equivalent to, the 2013 meta-analysis (81 per 1000 h and 20 days, respectively). The injury incidence rate for match injuries in elite senior men’s Rugby Union is high in comparison to most team sports, though the training injury incidence rate compares favourably. The tackle event and concussion injuries should continue to be the focus of future preventative efforts.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1127–1140
Number of pages14
JournalSports Medicine
Volume52
Issue number5
Early online date2 Dec 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 May 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Sean Williams has received research grants from World Rugby and the Rugby Football Union in the recent past or currently. James Brown has received research grants, partial conference funding, and bursaries from World Rugby in the recent past or currently. Keith Stokes is employed by the Rugby Football Union. Charlotte Robertson, Lindsay Starling, Carly McKay, and Stephen West declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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