THE PREVALENCE AND CAUSE OF NON-CONTACT INJURY MECHANISMS IN U.S. MEN’S RUGBY-7S

The aim of this study was to prospectively report non-contact injury incidence and causes in U.S. men’s Rugby-7s players (n=446) over 2010-2015, using the Rugby Injury Survey & Evaluation (RISE) methodology. Non-contact injuries (time-loss 25%; medical attention 75%) had higher rates among backs (62%; 28.4/1000ph) than forwards (38%; 23.2/1000ph; RR:1.22; p=0.05). Non-contact injuries resulted in an average of 48.7days (d) absence from sport (classic non-contact 48.1d; other non-contact 77.0d). Acute injuries (85%) were most common during attempts to elude a tackle (31%) and in running/open play (48% overall; from 35% in 2010, 41% in 2011, 52% in 2012, 43% in 2013, 46% in 2014, 70% in 2015). Most non-contact injuries (44%) occurred during the first two tournament matches. These results provide much needed data on Rugby-7s, impacting emerging countries

THE INCIDENCE AND NATURE OF NON-CONTACT INJURIES IN U.S. WOMEN’S RUGBY-7S

The aim of this study was to prospectively determine non-contact injury incidence and mechanisms among U.S. amateur women’s Rugby-7s. Non-contact injuries occurred frequently among the U.S. women population (26.5/1000ph; 29% of all injuries; n=167). The incidence of non-contact injuries occurred at similar rates among backs (58%, 23.9/1000ph, CI:19.1-29.6) and forwards (42%, 19.3/1000ph, CI:14.4-25.3; RR:1.04, p=0.816). Non-contact injuries resulted in 58.4 mean days absence from play. This study demonstrates a greater proportion of match injuries among U.S. amateur women Rugby-7 participants were related to non-contact mechanism when compared to International women participants. Therefore, U.S. women Rugby-7 players would benefit from prevention programs to minimize non-contact injury risks