We’ve documented the current concussion crisis plaguing the sport of American football in the past, but British doctors are saying another popular sport needs to be reexamined amid health concerns. That popular sport is rugby.
Although not nearly as popular in America as it is ‘across the pond,’ more rugby clubs continue to sprout on high school and college campuses. The sport is gaining traction, and British researchers said flawed techniques while learning the sport can lead to serious injuries, and even death.
“Rugby sidesteps many safeguards intended to ensure pupil wellbeing,” said Michael Carter, a pediatric neurosurgeon at the British Royal Hospital for Children.”The fundamental impediment is the lack of any comprehensive, systematically acquired and nationally coordinated dataset of injuries acquired during children’s rugby, and of the will to set one up.”
Carter added that schools, clubs, medical leaders and governing bodies need work together to ensure players are taught the right techniques and injury risk is mitigated.
“It is vital that schools, clubs, medical facilities, and, most importantly, regulatory bodies cooperate now to quantify the risks of school rugby. Failure to do so will inhibit the development of rational policies around the sport, put junior players at risk, and may ultimately threaten the survival of rugby in its present form.”
Contact Problems
British schools teach rugby on a much more regular basis than we do in America, and some schools start “contact” rugby as early as age 10. Children are still growing and developing at this age, and physical contact significantly increases the risk of injury. Additionally, young players are less likely to practice the proper tackling techniques to reduce injury likelihood, and even worse, at such a young age, oftentimes these kids are taught the game by someone with a limited knowledge of the sport, like a volunteer parent or teacher.
Carter also cautioned that children are at all different stages of development between the ages of 8 and 18, leading to large size and weight discrepancies. He added that rugby players at the youth level should be grouped by weight, not age.
In the last decade at least 20 children have needed neurosurgical consultation or intervention as a result of a rugby injury, and there have been at least two adolescent deaths, four or five serious spinal fractures and several significant brain injuries. Carter said the culture of rugby and those who support the violent nature of the game are setting a dangerous precedent.
“Schools, coaches and parents all contribute to a tribal, gladiatorial culture that encourages excessive aggression, suppresses injury reporting and encourages players to carry on when injured.”
Dr. Silverman comments
Rugby is a very violent sport where players clash with one another with very limited protective gear. Young kids typically aren’t moving fast enough to cause a massive injury, but slamming your head on the ground can be particularly dangerous at such a young age. As players get fast and stronger, the risk intensifies.
Mandatory protective gear, certified training and strengthening programs and professional injury assessment/treatment are needed to help keep the game safe.
Related source: Medscape