Rugby is getting rougher by the day – a closer look at common injuries and risks

Rugby has never been a sport for the faint of heart – neither for players nor for spectators. When you’re getting ready to play or watch a rugby match, you know exactly what you’re going to get: adrenaline, intense action, collisions, hardcore hits, and unfortunately plenty of injuries. That’s simply the nature of this sport, and we’re all aware of it. Despite the protective equipment that professional players usually wear and the training they receive that helps them minimise risks, injuries are still very much a part of the equation. 

It seems that in recent years the intensity of the game has taken a turn for the worse. The severity of the injuries suffered by rugby players on the field has increased considerably lately, raising concerns over the safety and wellbeing of the players. It’s no surprise that people often compare traumas from rugby games to getting injured in a car accident. And it’s not even an exaggeration. The forces produced by a mild car crash are comparable to the forces produced by a rugby collision. Therefore, we can safely say that rugby is one of the toughest sports in the world at the moment. And yet, rugby remains a beloved sport in the UK and many other parts of the world, so if we can’t do much to change the negative aspects of the game, at least we could try to understand what we’re dealing with.  

What makes rugby such a gruelling sport? 

Professional rugby players are all too familiar with accidents, injuries, and pain, to the point where dealing with repeated health issues has become a normal part of their life. But why is it that the incidence of severe injuries has grown so much over the years? 

For starters, the physical shape of the players has changed with time. If you compared players today with players from ten or twenty years back, it becomes obvious that the current generation is bigger and stronger. The average modern-day rugby player is taller, heavier, and fitter than they used to be. That certainly contributes to the spectacle that rugby offers and is also necessary to meet the contemporary demands of the game, but it also enhances the likelihood of serious accidents and the negative consequences stemming from it. The collisions that have always been frequent in rugby matches now result in injuries that are comparable to those sustained in major traffic accidents. 

Secondly, the distance covered by rugby payers during a match is also larger than expected. Every game is an endurance test in which players have to cover between 8 to 12 km. It was once believed that football players have to run longer distances, but it turns out that there’s not much difference between them and rugby players in this respect. Add that to the collisions that can be as frequent as one per minute in rugby, some more intense than others, and it becomes obvious which sport puts more strain on players. 

So, we’ve re looking at a significant physical growth rate paired with recurrent brutal collisions and running distances that could take a toll even on the fittest professional runners. These are the main factors that explain how rugby got to the point where it is now.  

What are the most common injuries in rugby?

There’s no arguing that rugby is a demanding sport. There’s a lot of running, scrumming, rucking, and tackling involved in it, giving way to plenty of accidents and an increased risk of injuries. So, let’s take a look at the most common types of injuries suffered by rugby players.

Overuse injuries

Since rugby players are constantly moving and running on the playing field, overuse injuries such as Bursitis, tendinitis, or medial tibial stress syndrome, are a common sight. Usually, these types of injuries are not immediately obvious, as they occur over time, and don’t necessarily represent a major cause for concern. However, the impact they have on players’ performance and health, in the long run, is undeniable. 

Traumatic injuries

Rugby is a high-contact sport, and as with any sport that falls into this category, the risk of suffering traumatic injuries runs high. There’s a wide range of injuries included in this group, but the most common ones are cuts, sprains and strains, dislocated shoulders and fingers, slipped discs, facial trauma, or fractured bones. Traumatic injuries can take a greater toll on players’ health than overuse injuries, and in many cases, the long-term consequences associated with them force players to retire. 

Concussions

Concussions are probably the most prevalent types of injuries seen on the rugby playing field. Research shows that these traumatic brain injuries caused by a strong blow or jolt to the head amount to up to 20% of all match injuries. Concussions pose a serious threat to players’ health, which is why immediate medical attention is required and players have to be closely monitored all throughout recovery.  

Safety recommendations 

It’s pretty clear that rugby isn’t going to revert to the way it was once, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to reduce risks and enhance safety on the playing field. Wearing adequate protective equipment, from body armour, and scrum caps to rugby mouth guards or shoulder pads should be non-negotiable for all rugby players, whether they’re professionals or amateurs. Thorough preparation and training also play a crucial role in teaching players how to keep injuries at bay and protect themselves during the game. And when injuries do occur, it’s vital to have proper care on hand. 

Rugby is the type of sport where excitement and risk go hand in hand, and that’s part of its appeal. Being aware of the hazards it implies can definitely make the game safer in the future, but the truth is that rugby is always going to be reserved for those who can take a punch, quite literally.