Most Common Injuries Series - Part 5 : Rugby Union

This is part 5 of our “Most Common Injuries” series. Today’s focus – Rugby Union 🏉 An epidemiology study of English Professional rugby union (Brooks et al, 2005) followed 12 English Premiership clubs for 2 full seasons.

They found that: - thigh haematomas were the most common injury overall

- but anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries for forwards and hamstring injuries for backs caused the greatest numer of days absence

Thigh haematomas can't really be prevented in a contact sport like rugby, and we have discussed hamstring strains in a previous post (AFL most common injury). So here we will touch on ACL injury prevention.

⠀ How to prevent ACL injuries in rugby ? - have great strength of the main hip and knee muscles; glutes, quads hamstrings and calves (and especially hip abductors and external rotators to prevent knee valgus)

- have excellent motor control to safely use that strength

- have the endurance to last the season (injuries are more likely when you’re tired!)

- train lowe limb stability and control in a variety of sports specific ways; running, sidestapping, kicking, tackling, rucking/mauling/scrummaging

Reference:⠀ Brooks, J. H., Fuller, C. W., Kemp, S. P. T., & Reddin, D. B. (2005). Epidemiology of injuries in English

If you need help, reach out to our caring and friendly team at our Chatswood or North Sydney Physiotherapy Clinic. You’ll be glad you did.