Eighty minutes in the front row is a lot different to eighty minutes out on the wing. We take a look at which players in a rugby team face the highest risk of getting injured.
8th man (12 to 14%)
Hooker (10 to 12%)
Lock (10 to 12%)
Flank (10 to 12%)
Wing (10 to 12%)
Fullback (8 to 10%)
Centre (8 to 10%)
Prop (8 to 10%)
Flyhalf (8 to 9%)
Scrumhalf (6 to 8%)
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While the nature of the above injuries can be mild to serious, there is common consensus among coaches and medical specialists alike that most injuries can be prevented with proper coaching and with certain law changes in the set phases of the game.
What is also apparent is that proper conditioning of players also plays a role in the prevention of injuries. If a player has the correct strength balances, flexibility etc. these factors can reduce the occurrence of injuries in rugby players.
According to Hattingh, injuries are age-specific. The reasons for this may be manifold and could include level of experience and exposure to the game, level of conditioning as well as muscle balance, ability and technical proficiency and even successful rehab from previous injury. While the reasons may be varied it is plain to see that injury, potential injury and injury prevention should be addressed in the rightfully serious light it finds itself in. – (Conrad Booysen, biokineticist)
Statistics taken from a study conducted by J. Hatting.
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