Injuries in Rugby

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/02/05/even_rugby_unions_fittest_are.html

This post on The Guardian’s Blog certainly raised a few eyebrows.

Here was a guy lambasting the natural evolution of the game - bigger hits, more injuries etc

What are we going to do about it?

PREPARE YOURSELF

And is is so that Rugby is all that more dangerous than, say Soccer?

According to a study by Jones et al (2004) every 100 participant hours in school results resulted in 6 times more injuries in Soccer than Rugby (1.92 for Rugby compared to 6.2 per soccer)

So are fitness coaches incorrect in suggesting that Young Persons should be preparing themselves for Rugby with Strength Training.

Absolutely NOT

This is not freakish or a sign of impending doom and gloom with increased injuries.

It is a sign that to play a collision sport you MUST perform some form of Rugby Fitness and injury prevention.

Remember - rugby strength training appears under a huge umbrella of modalities. Bodyweight Training, Dumbbell, Barbbell to name a few.

It is your health insurance.

Here are my three favourite exercises:

1) Isometric Neck Bridges

2) Any form of Shrug

3) Posterior Chain Exercises e.g. Nordic Hamstring Curls, Glute Hamstring Raises

Pop these into your training and rest assured that your chance of injury will be reduced in the areas prone to injury.

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JL

http://www.getfitforrugby.com