Table 1

Total and skin injury prevalence of rugby union players during matches

StudyAthlete levelInjury definitionInjury categoryMatch exposure hoursMatch injury prevalenceSkin injury prevalenceNo of skin injuries (proportion, %)
Best et al 20 ProfessionalTL-IMOpen wound/ Laceration193097.921.241 (21.7)
Brooks et al 23 ProfessionalTL-1DLaceration & skin445218.04.52 (2.1)
Brooks et al 3 ProfessionalTL-1DLaceration & skin16 78291.41.118 (1.2)
Fuller et al 24 ProfessionalTL-1DLaceration192083.900 (0)
Fuller et al 25 ProfessionalTL-1DSkin560074.82.514 (3.3)
Fuller and Molloy26 ProfessionalTL-1DSkin332052.41.55 (2.9)
Fuller et al 27 ProfessionalTL-1DLaceration192089.11.63 (1.8)
Jakoet and Noakes28 ProfessionalTL-IMLaceration219431.98.719 (27.0)
Schwellnus et al 30 ProfessionalTL-1DSkin151283.34.06 (4.8)
Bird et al 21 AmateurTL-IM & MALaceration587183.37.343 (8.8)
Kerr et al 29 AmateurTL-1DLaceration34 32417.00.829 (5.0)
  • Prevalence is reported as injuries per 1000 match hours.

  • MA, medical attention; TL-1D, time-loss 1 day; TL-IM, time-loss immediately.