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12.1 Concussion incidence in U.S. university rugby-7s: a six-year epidemiology study
  1. Kiera Borthwick1,2,
  2. Christian Victoria1,3,4,
  3. Som Singh1,5,
  4. Jasmin Strong1,6,
  5. Samuel Haleem1,7,
  6. Richard Ma1,4,7,9,
  7. Meghan Moir1,10,
  8. Answorth Allen1,4,11,12,13,
  9. Victor Lopez1,4,9,14
  1. 1Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
  2. 2Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
  3. 3New York University, College of Global Public Health, Urban Epidemiology Lab, New York, NY, USA
  4. 4Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
  5. 5University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
  6. 6Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
  7. 7Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Smith, AR, USA
  8. 8Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics, Columbia, MO, USA
  9. 9Northeast Rugby Academy, USA Rugby Development Program and USOC-Community Olympic Development Program, New York, NY, USA
  10. 10Marist College, Department of Physical Therapy, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
  11. 11Sports Medicine Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
  12. 12New York Knickerbockers, National Basketball Association, New York, NY, USA
  13. 13Team USA Basketball, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
  14. 14USA Rugby Empire and New England Geographic Union RFUs, New York, NY, USA

Abstract

Objective Rugby-7s is gaining popularity in the U.S. among the university population. The aim was to quantify the incidence and causes for concussions among U.S. university rugby-7s players.

Design Prospective, descriptive, epidemiological study.

Setting USA rugby-sanctioned tournaments (2011–2016).

Participants 4458 university-level athletes (male=3411, female=1047) in 953 matches (mean age=21.4 years).

Assessment of Risk Factors Match concussion injury rates, causes, and mechanisms.

Outcome Measures Injury incidence (per 1000 player-hour (ph)) was captured using RISERugby Injury Registry.

Main Results Total incidence of concussions was 11.55/1000ph (CI=8.09–15.99; n=36). There were no significant sex differences in concussion incidence (male=10.98/1000ph; CI=7.24–15.98; n=27) (female=13.68/1000ph; CI=6.25–25.96; n=9) (P=0.56). The phase of play most likely to result in concussion was the tackle (9.30/1000ph; CI=6.23–13.36; n=29) compared to all other phases of play (1.60/1000ph; CI=0.52–3.74; n=5) (P<0.01). Concussions were more likely to result from impact with another player (9.30/1000ph; CI=6.23–13.36; n=29) than with the ground (1.28/1000ph; CI=0.35–3.29; n=4) (P<0.01). The second half of play had a higher incidence of concussions (14.76/1000ph; CI=9.36–22.14) than the first (5.77/1000ph; CI=2.64–10.96; P=0.01).

Conclusions Incidence of concussions in the collegiate population was higher than the general U.S. rugby-7s playing population. Differences were noted between half-of-match, contact type, and phases of play. Upholding proper technique in the tackle and using player replacement options for fatigued players in the second half should be emphasized to reduce dangerous player-to-player contact involving the head. University programs need more conditioning and training periods to counter fatigue and loss of technique involved in rugby-7s.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.396

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