Injury occurrence among rugby players in secondary schools in central Uganda in the year 2019 rugby league

Abstract

Sport is a leisure activity in which humans find amusing or entertaining. Sports like soccer, rugby, basketball are continuously growing and becoming popular. The increase in popularity has raised participation in form of leisure, winning medals and economic benefits. The increase in participation has led to increase in injury occurrence risks especially in the sport of rugby. Rugby is physical contact and collision sport with massive support worldwide. Rugby has been identified and ranked among the highest risky sport and contributor to injuries worldwide. However, there is little literature and no study evidence has been done to document injury occurrence among rugby players in secondary schools in central Uganda in the year 2019 rugby league. The goal of this present study was to establish the occurrence of injuries among rugby players in Secondary Schools in Central Uganda in the year 2019 rugby league. The study objectives were to establish the common types of injuries, to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors attributed to injury occurrence among rugby players in Secondary Schools in Central Uganda in the year 2019 rugby league. A cross-section study was conducted involving instrument which collected data concerning socio-demographic information, common injuries, time of their occurrence, intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with injury occurrence and strategies to reduce injuries on 234 respondents.198 were male rugby players and 36 administrators. Data was analyzed thematically and using cross tabulation method. Results indicated that majority of respondents in this study were18 years and above making 272 (58%) compared to those of 17 years and below. A total of 358 injuries were recorded during this study and 339 (95%) were soft tissue and 19 (5%) were hard tissue injuries. Majority of the soft tissue injuries were bruises at114 (34%) followed by 64 (19%) strains and 14 (74%) dislocations. 208 (58%) injuries occurred during second half of matches and 150 (42%) injuries occurred in the first half. Intrinsic factors were the primary causes of injuries whereas extrinsic factors also contributed. Wrong execution of rugby skills was noted as the most intrinsic factor for injury occurrence at 227 (97%) respondents out of 234 and failure to use safety gear was also noted as the most extrinsic factor to attribute to injuries and 234 (100%) supported it. 234 (100%) supported use of safety gears and 227 (97%) supported execution of the right techniques of the game as the best strategies to reduce injury occurrence. It was concluded that injury occurrence during this league was high compared to other studies elsewhere. In addition, majority of the injuries were soft tissue, minor and moderate especially due to the wrong execution of rugby skills. This meant that the medical officers have got a lot of work to attend to these rugby players especially during the course of matches.