Table 5

Match injuries as a function of injury type and playing position

Injury typeProportion of injuries, % (95% CI)
Main groupSubgroupBacksForwardsAll players
BoneAll injuries5.6 (0.8 to 10.3)9.6 (3.3 to 16.0)7.5 (3.6 to 11.4)
Fracture4.4 (0.2 to 8.7)9.6 (3.3 to 16.0)6.9 (3.2 to 10.7)
Other bone injuries1.1 (0 to 3.3)0.0 (–)0.6 (0 to 1.7)
C/PNSAll injuries16.7 (9.0 to 24.4)12.0 (5.0 to 19.1)14.5 (9.2 to 19.7)
Concussion16.7 (9.0 to 24.4)10.8 (4.2 to 17.5)13.9 (8.7 to 19.0)
Nerve injury0.0 (–)1.2 (0 to 3.6)0.6 (0 to 1.7)
Joint (non-bone)/ligamentAll injuries34.4 (24.6 to 44.3)31.3 (21.3 to 41.3)32.9 (25.9 to 40.0)
Dislocation/subluxation6.7 (1.5 to 11.8)3.6 (0 to 7.6)5.2 (1.9 to 8.5)
Lesion meniscus/cartilage/disc4.4 (0.2 to 8.7)4.8 (0.2 to 9.4)4.6 (1.5 to 7.8)
Sprain/ligament23.3 (14.6 to 32.1)22.9 (13.9 to 31.9)23.1 (16.8 to 29.4)
Muscle/tendonAll injuries38.9 (28.8 to 49.0)42.2 (31.5 to 52.8)40.5 (33.1 to 47.8)
Haematoma/contusion/bruise12.2 (5.5 to 19.0)9.6 (3.3 to 16.0)11.0 (6.3 to 15.6)
Muscle rupture/tear/strain/cramp24.4 (15.6 to 33.3)21.7 (12.8 to 30.6)23.1 (16.8 to 29.4)
Tendon rupture/tendinopathy/bursitis2.2 (0 to 5.3)10.8 (4.2 to 17.5)6.4 (2.7 to 10.0)
SkinAll injuries1.1 (0 to 3.3)2.4 (0 to 5.7)1.7 (0 to 3.7)
Abrasion0.0 (–)0.0 (–)0.0 (–)
Laceration1.1 (0 to 3.3)2.4 (0 to 5.7)1.7 (0 to 3.7)
OtherAll injuries3.3 (0 to 7.0)2.4 (0 to 5.7)2.9 (0.4 to 5.4)
Dental0.0 (–)0.0 (–)0.0 (–)
Visceral0.0 (–)0.0 (–)0.0 (–)
Other injuries3.3 (0 to 7.0)2.4 (0 to 5.7)2.9 (0.4 to 5.4)
  • C/PNS, central and peripheral nervous system.