Epidemiology and time-loss shoulder injuries in professional South African rugby players : a prospective study that focuses on real-time collision data during a tackle
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Date
Authors
Louwrens, Jan Gerhardus
Jansen van Rensburg, Audrey
Viljoen, Carel Thomas
Hendricks, Sharief
Botha, Tanita
Janse van Rensburg, Dina Christina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
BACKGROUND : In rugby, the shoulder contributes to attack/defence during collisions, tackling,
falling, scrummaging, and mauling. We investigated the frequency, tissue, and pathology
type of shoulder injuries per player position among professional South African rugby players, and
compared injury severity in the context of momentum, intensity, and collision variables. METHODS :
A prospective study collecting shoulder injury data of 80 male Super Rugby players (>18 years)
over 4 seasons (2018–2021). Players wore a Catapult Evo GPS unit during training and match-play,
recording performance variables and collision forces during injury. We collected tissue and pathology
types of injury from players’ medical files, clinical examinations, and special investigations. RESULTS :
Shoulder injuries contributed to 17% of all injuries, ranging from 2 to 34% per year. Forwards (63%)
sustained most shoulder injuries, specifically locks (30%). Acromioclavicular (AC) joint (47%) was
mostly involved, and ligament/joint capsule (65%) was the most common tissue type injured. Injuries
with the highest average momentum resulted in players suffering minimal to mild severity injuries
(1–7 days time-loss). Backs (631.15 kgm/s) required less momentum than forwards (816.00 kgm/s)
to suffer injuries resulting in >28 days time-loss (p = 0.008). Backs encountered higher match intensity
(67.76 m/min, p = 0.031) and highest average collisions (0.28/min) without suffering more severe
(>28 days time-loss) injuries. Match intensity of >60 m/min resulted in more than 55% of shoulder
injuries. CONCLUSION : One in six injuries in this cohort was shoulder-related. Forwards, specifically
locks, sustained most shoulder injuries. The AC joint was the tissue type that mainly contributed.
Backline players were involved in higher velocity contact, game intensity, and collision frequency but
suffered fewer injuries. However, they required less momentum to sustain more severe injuries.
Description
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Data sharing not applicable. No new data were created or analyzed in this study.
Keywords
Shoulder injuries, Rugby, Contact, GPS, Severity, SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being
Citation
Louwrens, J.G.; Jansen van Rensburg, A.; Viljoen, C.T.; Hendricks, S.; Botha, T.; Janse van Rensburg, D.C. Epidemiology and Time-Loss Shoulder Injuries in Professional South African Rugby Players: A Prospective Study That Focuses on Real-Time Collision Data during a Tackle. Applied Science 2023, 13, 10944. https://DOI.org/10.3390/app131910944.