Key result
Playing rugby on artificial turf does not significantly change match injury incidence compared to grass.
Why the study?
The incidence, nature, and cause of injuries sustained in rugby union played on artificial turf compared to grass were not well characterized.
Does playing rugby union on artificial turf increase the incidence of injuries compared to grass in rugby players?
Population
Rugby union players from six teams in Hong Kong's Division 1 and two teams in the English Premiership
Comparison
Artificial turf vs grass playing surfaces
Design
Two-season cohort study compliant with international consensus injury definitions
Follow-up
Two seasons
Authors
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Should not alter turf selection based on overall injury data; leaves open ACL trends for prospective confirmation.
Cohort
Yes
Does playing rugby union on artificial turf increase the incidence of injuries compared to grass in rugby players?
Relative Risk: 1.42
p-value: p=0.134
Playing rugby union on artificial turf does not significantly increase the overall risk of injury compared to grass, though a non-significant trend toward higher ACL injuries on artificial turf warrants further study.
Fuller et al. (2010) conducted a cohort in Rugby union injuries. Artificial turf vs. Grass was evaluated on Overall incidence of match injuries (RR 1.42, p=0.134). Playing rugby union on artificial turf did not significantly change the overall incidence of match injuries compared to grass (RR 1.42; P=0.134).
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