A descriptive epidemiological study of injuries and illnesses over an 8-Year period in a Japanese university rugby football team

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the incidence rates of sports injuries, including those due to trauma, overuse, and diseases, a descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in players from the Keio University rugby football club.

Methods: The study participants were 368 players who belonged to the Keio University rugby football club from April 2011 through December 2018 (1,049 players year). We analyzed the incidence per practice day and game, by clinical department category and disease classification, and by unplayable period and severity of the sports injury and disease that led to leave from practice and game during the study period. In addition, we analyzed the incidence of sports injuries and diseases by body part affected, month of onset, orthopedic and neurosurgical disease statuses, and year and month of onset of internal diseases according to clinical department and disease classification.

Results: The incidence of sports injuries and diseases was 1.67 cases/player overall, 1.07 cases/player in the orthopedic diseases, 0.25 case/player in the internal diseases, and 0.24 case/player in the neurosurgical diseases (all concussions) over 8 years. The incidence rates per practice day and game were 0.41 and 1.18 cases, respectively. The conditions with the highest incidence rates were as follows: orthopedic diseases of the lower limb, 45%; ligament injuries, 46%; common cold, 40% of all internal diseases; and seasonal and annual cases of gastroenteritis, 35%.

Conclusion: This study shows that many cases of ligament injuries of the lower limb were treated as orthopedic diseases; and common cold and gastroenteritis, as internal diseases. All cases of concussion were treated as neurosurgical diseases. Given these facts, steps must be taken to secure the duration of a play.