The Women’s Six Nation’s Championship has brought increased attention to the risk of injuries faced by female rugby players as the number of women playing the sport globally continues to rise. Research suggests that gender differences may play a significant role in the types and frequency of injuries in team sports like rugby.
One study has shown that lower neck strength in female players may predispose them to concussion, while anatomical differences in the female pelvis, knee, and lower leg have been found to increase the risk of injuries. Gender differences in neuromuscular function have also been linked to ACL injuries and concussion, with concussion being the most common injury among both male and female rugby players.
Interestingly, injury risk in women’s rugby at the elite level is nearly 50% lower than in men’s rugby, but the overall burden of injury may be higher for female amateur players. Additionally, while concussion rates are higher in men’s rugby, the consequences of a concussion may be more severe for women.
ACL injuries, on the other hand, are more prevalent in male professional rugby players than their female counterparts. However, female players face a five times higher rate of ACL injuries in lower tiers of rugby. The transition of women’s rugby towards professionalism may also have an impact on the risk of injuries.
There are still many unanswered questions regarding the burden of injuries in women’s rugby, including the potential relationship between the menstrual cycle and sports injuries. Research on breast injuries in female rugby is also limited, with a lack of established guidelines for breast protection.
Overall, there is a clear need for tailored injury prevention strategies for female rugby players, as imposing male strategies may not effectively address the specific risk factors faced by women in the sport. With the lack of elite female teams leading to women taking up rugby at older ages, there may be a potential link to poor tackle technique and an increased risk of injuries. As the sport continues to grow among women, it is essential to prioritize the health and safety of female rugby players through comprehensive research and targeted injury prevention measures.
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