The association between sport-related concussion and musculoskeletal injury in university rugby athletes

Objectives

The study aimed to analyse the association between Sports-Related Concussion (SRC) and Subsequent Musculoskeletal Injury (MSK) in United Kingdom university-aged rugby union players whilst considering the effects of sex, athlete playing position and injury location.

Design

Retrospective cohort study. A period of 365 days with 0–90, 91–180 and 181–365 days sub-periods was analysed for the following variables; MSK injury incidence, occurrence, severity, injury location, playing position and sex.

Setting

Injury data was collected from the Sports Development Centre database at Loughborough University.

Participants

A total of 408 injuries in 181 athletes (55 females and 126 males) were included.

Results

The MSK injury incidence of SRC group was significantly higher than control and higher post-SRC than pre-SRC period over a 365-day period (p=0.012 and p=0.034, respectively). The odds ratios of MSK injury incidence between groups and between periods were 1.62 (95% CI, 1.10–2.25) and 1.57 (95% CI ,1.08–2.29). A SRC was not associated with a greater time loss from a subsequent MSK injury or a specific MSK injury location.

Conclusions

Athletes with a second recorded injury were more likely to sustain a MSK injury if they had experienced SRC, however, there was no indication a SRC resulted in greater time loss from a MSK injury.