'VisionZero': Is it achievable for rugby-related catastrophic injuries in South Africa?
- Authors: Brown, James , Viljoen, Wayne , Readhead, Clint , Baerecke, Gail , Lambert, Mike , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 51, no. 15 (2017), p. 1106-1107
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
- Full Text: false
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- Description: The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund (CBPJPF) was founded by Morne Du Plessis when his provincial rugby teammate—Chris Burger—was fatally injured during a match (www.playersfund.org.za). The CBPJPF aims to assist all seriously injured rugby players through donations made by individuals and organisations, including SA RUGBY. These seriously injured players form the CBPJPF ‘membership’ who often mention their appreciation for this lifeline. However, the founding member of the CBPJPF—Morne Du Plessis—is quick to say ‘we don’t want any new members’.5
Quality of life among individuals with rugby-related spinal cord injuries in South Africa : A descriptive cross-sectional study
- Authors: Badenhorst, Marelise , Brown, James , Lambert, Mike , van Mechelen, Willem , Verhagen, Evert
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMJ Open Vol. 8, no. 6 (2018), p. 1-12
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- Description: Objectives Rugby-related spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are rare but life altering and traumatic events. Little is known about the long-term consequences and outcomes of players who have sustained these injuries. This study investigated current quality of life (QoL) and factors associated with QoL, among individuals with rugby-related SCI in South Africa, by using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Design Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting Rugby-related SCI population of South Africa, as captured in the BokSmart/Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players' Fund database. Participants Ninety (n=90) of the 102 eligible players on the database agreed to participate in the study. Main outcome measure The relationship between QoL, as measured with the WHO Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and specific independent variables (demographic information, level of independence and participation in various activities and life roles) was investigated. Variables that were significantly associated with QoL in bivariate analyses were included in multiple linear regression analyses. Results The mean score and SD of the WHOQOL-BREF was 15.1±2.3 arbitrary units. Participation (an ICF framework construct) and income were significantly associated with overall QoL (p<0.001). Participation was the only variable significantly associated with all QoL subdomains (p<0.001). Additionally, number of health concerns, type of healthcare (public vs private) and level of education were significantly associated with various QoL domains (p<0.001). Conclusions On average, these individuals with rugby-related SCI presented with higher QoL scores than other comparable SCI studies. However, lower levels of participation and income, certain levels of education, increased health concerns and use of public healthcare were associated with lower levels of QoL. Sporting bodies have a responsibility to optimise player welfare, by acting on the modifiable factors associated with QoL.
A 12-month prospective cohort study of symptoms of common mental disorders among professional rugby players
- Authors: Gouttebarge, Vincent , Hopley, Philip , Kerkhoffs, Gino , Verhagen, Evert , Viljoen, Wayne , Wylleman, Paul , Lambert, Mike
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Sport Science Vol. 18, no. 7 (2018), p. 1004-1012
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- Description: The primary aims were to determine the 12-month incidence (and comorbidity) of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) among male professional rugby players and to explore their association with potential stressors. A secondary aim was to explore the view of male professional rugby players about the consequences of symptoms of CMD and related medical support/needs. An observational prospective cohort study with three measurements over a 12-month period was conducted among male professional rugby players from several countries. Symptoms of CMD (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, eating disorders and adverse alcohol use) and stressors (adverse life events, rugby career dissatisfaction) were assessed through validated questionnaires. A total of 595 players (mean age of 26 years; mean career duration of 6 years) were enrolled, of which 333 completed the follow-up period. The incidence of symptoms of CMD were: 11% for distress, 28% for anxiety/depression, 12% for sleep disturbance, 11% for eating disorders and 22% for adverse alcohol use (13% for two simultaneous symptoms of CMD). Professional rugby players reporting recent adverse life events or career dissatisfaction were more likely to report symptoms of CMD but statistically significant associations were not found. Around 95% of the participants stated that symptoms of CMD can negatively influence rugby performances, while 46% mentioned that specific support measures for players were not available in professional rugby. Supportive and preventive measures directed towards symptoms of CMD should be developed to improve not only awareness and psychological resilience of rugby players but also their rugby performance and quality-of-life. © 2018, © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
When this happens, you want the best care : Players' experiences of barriers and facilitators of the immediate management of rugby-related acute spinal cord injury
- Authors: Badenhorst, Marelise , Verhagen, Evert , Lambert, Mike , van Mechelen, Willem , Brown, James
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Qualitative Health Research Vol. 29, no. 13 (2019), p. 1862-1876
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- Description: Most contact sports, including rugby union, carry a risk of injury. Although acute spinal cord injuries (ASCIs) in rugby are rare, the consequences of such injuries are far-reaching. Optimal management of these injuries is challenging, and a detailed understanding of the different barriers and facilitators to optimal care is needed. In this study, we aimed to describe the perception of players, regarding factors related to the optimal immediate management of a catastrophic injury in a developing country with socioeconomic and health care inequities. The most frequently reported barriers were transportation delays after injury and admission to appropriate medical facilities. Other barriers included inadequate equipment, the quality of first aid care, and barriers within the acute hospital setting. Barriers were more prevalent in rural and lower socioeconomic areas. These findings are relevant for all rugby stakeholders and may help shape education, awareness, and future policy around the immediate management of ASCIs.
Back to basics with some new tools : First ensure the safety of sporting environments
- Authors: Finch, Caroline , Brown, James , Readhead, Clint , Lambert, Mike , Viljoen, Wayne
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Editorial
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 51, no. 15 (2017), p. 1109-1110
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Coaches' and referees' perceptions of the BokSmart injury prevention programme
- Authors: Brown, James , Verhagen, Evert , van Mechelen, Willem , Lambert, Mike , Draper, Catherine
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching Vol. 11, no. 5 (2016), p. 637-647
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- Description: The South African Rugby Union launched the BokSmart nationwide injury prevention programme to reduce rugby-related catastrophic injuries. The aim of this qualitative study was to evaluate the coaches and referees' perceptions of the implementation of BokSmart. Seven focus groups were conducted with coaches (n=43) and referees (n=7) from a variety of socioeconomic status and age groups. The RE-AIM framework was used to categorize the findings. There was consensus that BokSmart was capable of reducing catastrophic injuries in players. However, coaches' perceptions varied by socioeconomic status : mid/low socioeconomic status coaches described infrastructure-related barriers. Referees felt incapable of policing all BokSmart regulations. In general, most coaches, referees and trainers felt that the training course could be shorter and more practical. The barriers identified in this study could be hindering optimal BokSmart implementation. These barriers differed by role (coach/referee) and socioeconomic status of the coaches (high, mid or low).
Seasonal time-loss match injury rates and burden in South African under-16 rugby teams
- Authors: Sewry, Nicola , Verhagen, Evert , Lambert, Mike , van Mechelen, Willem , Readhead, Clint , Viljoen, Wayne , Brown, James
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 22, no. 1 (2019), p. 54-58
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- Description: Objectives: Youth rugby union is a popular sport with a high injury incidence density (IID) and burden. This high risk has called for further research into the factors affecting the injuries in youth rugby. The aim of the study was to analyse time-loss IID and burden in multiple schoolboy rugby teams over a season and the potential factors associated with injury. Design: Prospective cohort Methods: All time-loss injuries were recorded from three schools for the whole season. Overall IID and injury burden were calculated, as well as for injury event, type, location and the match quarter in which they occurred and Poisson regression analyses were performed to determine differences. Results: IID was 28.8 (18.9–38.6) injuries per 1000 player hours over the season, with an injury burden of 379.2 (343.6–414.9) days lost per 1000 player hours. The ball-carrier had a significantly higher IID (11.3 (5.2–17.5) per 1000 player hours) compared to other events, and the joint (non-bone)/ligament injuries were the most common (IID of 12.2 (5.8–18.6) per 1000 player hours) and severe type of injury (burden of 172.6 (148.5–196.6) days lost per 1000 player hours). Conclusions: The IID was similar to previous youth rugby studies, however the injury burden was much lower. The South African youth cohort showed similar factors associated with injury for inciting event (the tackle) and injury type (joint (non-bone)/ligament) and location (lower limb) as seen in other studies in both youth and senior players.