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Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(03): 224-231
DOI: 10.1055/a-1958-0233
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

Epidemiology of the Injuries Sustained by Elite Spanish under-18 and under-20 Rugby Players

Cristian Solis Mencia 
1   Independent Doctor Practice, Santiago, Chile
,
Juan José Ramos-Álvarez
2   Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
,
Rafael Ramos Veliz
3   CEU, Centro de Estudios Universitario Cardenal Spindola CEU, Sevilla, Spain
,
Roberto Murias-Lozano
4   Medical Service, Spanish Rugby Union, Madrid, Spain
5   FACULTAD DE EDUCACIÓN Y SALUD, Universidad Camilo José Cela, Villafranca del Castillo, Spain
,
Mikel Aramberri
4   Medical Service, Spanish Rugby Union, Madrid, Spain
6   Orthopedic, Alai Sports Medicine Clinic, Madrid, Spain
,
José Carlos Saló
4   Medical Service, Spanish Rugby Union, Madrid, Spain
7   Orthopedics, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Villanova Lleida, Lleida, Spain
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Abstract

This study examines the injuries suffered by players (n=166) of the Spanish national men’s under-18 and under-20 rugby teams between 2015 and 2017, and identifies the actions involved in their occurrence. All injuries (total n=78) sustained during matches and training were recorded as recommended by World Rugby, and injury incidence rates per 1000 player-hours (ph) calculated for both types of activity. Injuries occurred more commonly during matches than during training (incidence 105.3 [95% CI: 78.7–131.9] per 1000 [ph] of match play, vs 1.16 [95% CI: 0.69–1.62] per 1000 ph of training), and most days absent per 1000 ph during matches with<3 days rest since the previous match (4209.2 [95% CI: 3516.2–4902.1] per 1000 ph of match play, vs 1947.4 [95% CI: 1511.8–2382.9] per 1000 ph of match play in matches with>3 days rest). These results provide information that may be useful in the development of strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of injuries.

Key words

epidemiology - youth players - rugby - injury


Publication History

Received: 14 June 2022

Accepted: 09 October 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
10 October 2022

Article published online:
01 December 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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