Epidemiological Study of Injuries in Men's International Under-20 Rugby Union Tournaments

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Abstract

Objective:

To determine the incidence, nature, and causes of match injuries sustained during Under-20 (U-20) international rugby.

Design:

Prospective cohort study; definitions and procedures were compliant with the international consensus statement for epidemiological studies in rugby.

Setting:

2008 and 2010 IRB U-20 Junior World Championships and Junior World Rugby Trophies.

Participants:

Nine hundred forty-one players representing 35 international teams.

Assessment of Risk Factors:

Injuries reported as functions of playing position and nature and cause of injury.

Main Outcome Measures:

Incidence, location, type, severity, and causes of match injuries.

Results:

Incidence of injury was 57.2 per 1000 player-match-hours (forwards, 55.3; backs, 59.4) with a mean severity of 22.4 days (forwards, 27.7; backs, 16.9) and a median severity of 6 days (forwards, 8; backs, 6). Lower limb ligament (25.3%) and muscle (21.3%) pathologies were the main injuries. Most injuries were acute (90.4%) and sustained during tackles (45.1%) and collisions (17.7%).

Conclusions:

The study showed that the overall risk of injury for players in international U-20 rugby is significantly lower than that reported at the full international level of play; the nature and causes of injury at U-20 are similar to those at the full international level of play.

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