Oefen- en beseringsprofiel van Griffons en Puma rugbyspelers

English: Rugby is a very popular, fast paced, high intensity team sport. The players are permanently in motion and contact with one another, and for this reason the risk of injury is very high. The number of injuries in professional, as well as amateur rugby has dramatically increased since rugby has become a professional sport. The fact that the style of play has also changed to a more running form of rugby also increases the potential of injuries for the players proportionally. Various research studies have been carried out on the epidemiology of rugby injuries at different levels of the game, but limited data exists on the exercise and injury profile of rugby players. This area is the aim of the study. A qualitative, descriptive, retrospective study is performed. The study population exists of the Griffons and Puma rugby players that competed in the 2010 Vodacom and Currie cup competitions in South Africa. Data of the incidence and treatment of injuries, pre-season fitness tests and exercise regimes for each union is included in this study, obtained through either a data vorm or questionnaire. A total of 89 injuries are recorded for 55 players over a period of nine months for February 2010 to October 2010. Physical contact between players caused more than half the injuries. There was a high incidence of lacerations to the head and face, while soft tissue injuries were also prominent. Forwards were injured more frequently than backline players, and the lower limb was the anatomical body part that was injured the most. The majority of injuries occurred during the second half of the match and was very mild to mild. The results of this study correspond greatly to previous literature and are of value in that it adds to the current existing databases of rugby injuries in South Africa. These databases can be well utilized in the structuring of injury prevention strategies by the rugby unions. The research also indicates that physiotherapy and rehabilitation plays aan important role in the treatment of sports injuries.