Journal article 1317 views 171 downloads
The epidemiology of kicking injuries in professional Rugby Union: A 15‐season prospective study
,
Matthew J. Cross,
Keith A. Stokes,
Sean Williams,
Aileen E. Taylor,
Colin W. Fuller,
John H. M. Brooks,
Simon P. T. Kemp,
Neil Bezodis
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Volume: 30, Issue: 9, Pages: 1739 - 1747
Swansea University Authors:
Stephanie Lazarczuk, Tom Love , Neil Bezodis
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DOI (Published version): 10.1111/sms.13737
Abstract
PurposeWhilst kicking in Rugby Union can be influential to match outcome, the epidemiology of kicking injuries remains unknown. This study therefore aimed to investigate the epidemiology of injuries attributed to kicking in professional rugby, including playing position‐specific effects and differen...
| Published in: | Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports |
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| ISSN: | 0905-7188 1600-0838 |
| Published: |
2020
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54320 |
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| Abstract: |
PurposeWhilst kicking in Rugby Union can be influential to match outcome, the epidemiology of kicking injuries remains unknown. This study therefore aimed to investigate the epidemiology of injuries attributed to kicking in professional rugby, including playing position‐specific effects and differences in kicking volumes and kick types.MethodsFifteen seasons of injury surveillance data and two seasons of match kicking characteristics from professional rugby players were analysed. Incidence, propensity and severity of kicking‐related injuries were calculated together with the locations and types of these injuries. Position‐related differences in match kicking types and volumes were also established.ResultsSeventy‐seven match and 55 training acute‐onset kicking injuries were identified. The match‐kicking injury incidence for backs was 1.4/1000 player‐match‐hours. Across all playing positions, the propensity for match kicking injury was 0.57 injuries/1000 kicks. Fly‐halves sustained the greatest proportion of match kicking injuries (47%) and performed the greatest proportion of match kicks (46%); an average propensity for match kicking injury (0.58/1000 kicks). Scrum‐halves executed 27% of match‐related kicks but had a very low propensity for match kicking injury (0.17/1000 kicks). All other positional groups executed a small proportion of match‐related kicks but a high propensity for match kicking injury. Ninety‐two per cent of match kicking injuries occurred in the pelvis or lower limb, with the majority sustained by the kicking limb. 21% of all match kicking injuries were associated with the rectus femoris muscle.ConclusionMatch‐kicking profiles and kicking injuries sustained are position‐dependent, which provides valuable insight for developing player‐specific conditioning and rehabilitation protocols. |
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| Keywords: |
incidence, injury, injury surveillance, kick, propensity, rectus femoris, rugby |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Issue: |
9 |
| Start Page: |
1739 |
| End Page: |
1747 |