Sport-related Concussion Characteristics and Time-loss Among Male and Female Community Rugby Union Players Across 6 Seasons.

BACKGROUND: Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a common injury in Rugby Union. There is currently a paucity of prospective research in SRC specific data in both male and female community Rugby Union players, which may restrict SRC prevention, recognition, and management practices.

HYPOTHESIS: Adult community SRC injuries would be common in match-play, forward players, and in the tackle event, alongside increased time-loss following SRC in female players.

METHODS: Data were collected across 6 seasons between 2017/18 and 2023/24, from 5740 male and female player-seasons registered with the Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance system. SRC injury data included player demographics, setting (match, training), mechanism of injury, timing occurrence, and time-loss.

RESULTS: Of the 456 reported SRCs, 93.9% occurred on match days and 6.1% during training. SRCs reported during matches were more likely to occur during the second half (males 63.5% [95% CI 58.5%, 68.4%]; females 72.1% [95% CI 58.7%, 85.5%]). For male players, most match-day SRCs occurred when tackling 55.9% (95% CI 50.9%, 60.8%), compared to more evenly distributed mechanisms observed in females (tackling 38.6%; being tackled 29.5%; ruck 18.2%). Severe SRC time-loss injuries (>28 days absence) were significantly more likely in female players compared with male players (46% vs 30%; P = 0.013). Annual SRC prevalence ranged from 4.0% to 9.7% for male players and 3.1% to 7.0% for female players across the 6 seasons.

CONCLUSION: In adult community Rugby Union most recorded SRCs occurred during the tackle event, match-play, and were more likely to occur in the second half. Female players may be more at risk for greater time-loss following SRC than male players.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sports medicine staff, coaches, and players should be aware of match time and mechanism of injury (eg, tackling) when SRCs are more likely to occur, alongside the potential increased time-loss risk in female players, to support SRC recognition and recovery.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.