Rugby Injury Essay

Injuries With the little protective equipment required for rugby, there are usually a few injuries that happen per season. As John Miller of Physio Works states, “as many as 1 in 4 rugby players will be injured during a season.” Over half of the injuries that happen in rugby are caused by tackling or getting tackled during the second half of games. Muscular strains and contusions make up a large portion of the injuries associated with rugby but sprains, dislocations, fractures, lacerations and overuse injuries are also very common among the athletes (Physio Works). Some of the most common injuries among these groups include injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), calf muscles, quadriceps hematoma, hamstring injuries and concussions. MCL tears or ruptures are most commonly found in players who have high chances of getting tackled and/or changing direction
These forces placed upon the athlete can cause the ligament to tear from excessive strain put on the ligament. Calf muscle injuries happen in the gastrocnemius or soleus muscle, most commonly at the musculotendinous junction to the Achilles tendon (QBE). In most cases, this is caused by poor technique or overuse. Quadriceps hematomas occur when a player gets a direct blow from another player or in some cases even the ball. Hematomas are caused when a force hits the player, causing a bruise like to the effected area. Hamstrings, like calf muscle injures, are mainly caused by over use. It is essential for the athletes to have a sufficient recovery time in order for their bodies to be ready for the stress that is put upon it while playing. Concussions are the final injury that is common among rugby players. Concussions occur when a player gets hit in the head by a mild or severe force. In most cases this happens when the player is getting tackled or tackling someone. Concussions are hard to prevent because of the lack of equipment required and also because of how physical in nature the sport