Review of preventive approach for rugby-related head and neck injuries

Abstract

Rugby football players frequently suffer head and neck injuries, and the prevention of these injuries is an important topic for everyone involved into rugby football. Reduction of these injuries can be effectively promoted by clarifying their etiologies and mechanisms. This study aimed to describe the preventive approaches for rugby-related head and neck injuries by reviewing previous studies from the point of view of both an epidemiological survey and video analysis of inciting events.

After reviewing the epidemiological survey in rugby, we found it is required to increase the number of studies targeting female rugby players and research on neck injuries for youth players. Moreover, we noticed, from the video analysis of inciting events, professional and international players are often targeted. Given the differences in physical and tactical game characteristics at different competition levels, generalizing the professional and international players’ characteristics should be cautiously considered among players at other competition levels. Therefore, further studies are required to analyze the events leading to rugby-related head and neck injuries in various competition levels in Japan. Improvement of individual tackle skills has an effect on reduction in the tackle events that resulted in head and neck injuries. However, effective intervention has not yet been established, and medical staff should be familiar with individual tackle skills. Therefore, they should understand the technical characteristics that influence the occurrence of rugby-related head and neck injuries and collaborate with the coaching staff so that players can play safely and effectively.