Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, School of Sport and Recreation, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
J Sci Med Sport. 2011 Mar;14(2):126-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2010.10.001. Epub 2010 Nov 19.
Rugby league is a popular participation sport, but there have been concerns raised regarding the possible high number of severe neck, back and spine injuries. Therefore an epidemiological overview of rugby league neck, back and spine injuries and associated costs of these injuries was undertaken in one country over nine years. The New Zealand national Accident Compensation Corporation data for moderate to serious injury entitlement claims (MSC) over nine years were analysed for the number, type and cost of neck, back and spine rugby league injuries resulting in medical treatment. There were 206 (3%) neck, back and spine MSC claims totalling NZD$1,585,927 (4%) of the total injury entitlement costs for rugby league over the nine-year period. The rate of MSC neck, back and spine rugby league injuries was 26 per 1000 total rugby league claims. Although the rate of neck, back and spine injuries varied over the nine years from 22 to 40 per 1000 injury claims, there was a significant increase over the duration of the study in the number of neck, back and spine MSC claims (χ2=849, df=8, p<0.001), and the cost per MSC injury claim (χ2=19,054, df=8, p<0.001). The frequency, severity and first 12 months cost of neck, back and spine injuries in rugby league is an issue that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately the ACC data base does not provide information on how or why the injuries occurred. A prospective injury epidemiology study needs to be conducted that will allow collection of information surrounding the mechanisms of injury and possible causative risk factors such as tackling technique. In the meantime it is suggested that coaches should ensure tackling technique is correctly taught to all rugby league players to reduce the risk of neck, back and spine injury. Team medical personnel should be trained in dealing with neck and spine injuries as well as head related injuries, and emergency procedures in dealing with players with a suspected neck or back injury should be practiced at clubs.
橄榄球联盟是一项受欢迎的参与性运动，但人们对可能发生的大量严重颈部、背部和脊柱损伤表示担忧。因此，在一个国家进行了橄榄球联盟颈部、背部和脊柱损伤的流行病学概述，并对这些损伤的相关成本进行了研究，时间跨度为九年。对九年期间新西兰国家意外赔偿公司（ACC）中度至严重伤害权益索赔（MSC）的数据分析显示，有 206 例（3%）颈部、背部和脊柱 MSC 索赔，涉及因医疗治疗而导致的橄榄球联盟颈部、背部和脊柱损伤的数量、类型和成本。在九年期间，橄榄球联盟总受伤权益成本中，MSC 颈部、背部和脊柱橄榄球联盟受伤的比例为 26%，总计 1585927 新西兰元（4%）。MSC 颈部、背部和脊柱橄榄球联盟受伤的比率在九年期间从 22 到 40 每 1000 例受伤索赔不等，但在研究期间，MSC 颈部、背部和脊柱索赔的数量显著增加（χ2=849，df=8，p<0.001），以及每例 MSC 受伤索赔的费用（χ2=19，df=8，p<0.001）。橄榄球联盟中颈部、背部和脊柱损伤的频率、严重程度和前 12 个月的成本是一个需要解决的问题。不幸的是，ACC 数据库并未提供有关受伤原因或受伤方式的信息。需要进行一项前瞻性的损伤流行病学研究，以收集有关损伤机制和可能的致病危险因素（如擒抱技术）的信息。与此同时，建议教练确保向所有橄榄球联盟球员正确传授擒抱技术，以降低颈部、背部和脊柱受伤的风险。团队医务人员应接受处理颈部和脊柱损伤以及与头部相关的损伤的培训，俱乐部应练习处理疑似颈部或背部受伤的球员的紧急程序。
