Citation

Ball S, Halaki M, Sharp T, Orr R. Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform. 2018; 13(1): 69-74.

Affiliation

1 Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/ijspp.2017-0023

PMID

28459290

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Rugby union is a physically demanding collision sport with high injury rates. There is a common perception that higher training loads result in greater injury risk in field-based sports. This study aims to determine injury, anthropometric and physical performance characteristics in junior rugby union players and investigate the interaction between training load and injury across a competitive season.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

METHODS: Fifty-one players (age 19.2±0.7 years) from an under-20 university rugby union team (forwards: n=27, backs: n=24) participated in a study conducted over a competition season. Training load, injury characteristics, anthropometry, physiological performance, and match time-loss injury incidence were observed.

RESULTS: Backs had significantly lower body mass (ES [95% CI]=1.6 [0.9, 2.2]), skinfolds thickness (ES=1.1 [0.5, 1.7]), strength (squat ES=0.6 [0.0, 1.2], deadlift ES=0.6 [0.0, 1.1], bench press ES=0.9[0.4, 1.5]), lower body power (ES=0.4 [-0.2, 1]) and higher maximal aerobic capacity (ES=-0.3 [-0.8, 0.3]) than forwards. Match injury incidence was 107.3 injuries/1000 player hours (forwards: 91.4/1000, backs: 125.5/1000) during pre-season and 110.7 injuries/1000 player hours (forwards: 124.1/1000, backs: 95.2/1000) during in-season. Forwards showed higher incidence of joint and ligament (p=0.049) and upper limb (p=0.011) injuries than backs. No significant relationship between overall training load and match injury incidence was found. However, lower match injury was associated with higher weekly training volume in backs (p=0.007).

CONCLUSION: Positional differences in body composition, performance, injury characteristics and match injury patterns were identified in junior university rugby union players, indicating the need for position-specific training programs to reduce risk of injury.

Language: en

Keywords

Rugby football; adolescent; athletic training; body composition; injury incidence