Key result
A pre-participation screening tool administered by rugby coaches could significantly aid in detecting and reducing potentially catastrophic illnesses and injuries in amateur rugby players.
This review highlights the need for and proposes guidelines for pre-participation screening of rugby players by coaches in South Africa to identify risks of sudden death and injury.
May support coach-led screening guidelines in amateur rugby; leaves open prospective validation before practice change.
A comprehensive medical history forms a significant part of any medical assessment or screening. In the athlete, pre-participation screening is aimed at determining those aspects of personal and family history that place the participant at greater risk of sudden death, serious illness or musculoskeletal injury. In rugby union, where the incidence of head and neck injuries is higher than in other sports, emphasis needs to be placed on screening for potential risk factors for neurological injury. In a South African rugby environment, pre-season medical screening is not standard and indeed rarely practised. In most club and school settings, the rugby coach may well be the person most in contact with players and therefore in the best position to conduct an initial screening. This article reviews the relevant literature pertinent to such a guideline.
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Patricios et al. (2010) conducted a review in Pre-participation screening in rugby players. Pre-participation screening by coaches was evaluated. A pre-participation screening tool administered by rugby coaches could significantly aid in detecting and reducing potentially catastrophic illnesses and injuries in amateur rugby players.
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