Montgomery, C, Blackburn, J, Withers, D et al. (3 more authors) (2018) Mechanisms of ACL injury in professional rugby union: a systematic video analysis of 36 cases. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52 (15). pp. 994-1001. ISSN 0306-3674
Abstract
Background The mechanisms of ACL injury in rugby are not well defined.
Aim To describe the mechanisms of ACL injury in male professional rugby players using systematic video analysis.
Methods 36 cases from games played in top professional leagues and international matches were analysed. 5 analysts independently assessed all videos to record the estimated frame/time of initial ground contact, frame/time of ACL tear and a range of play specific variables. This included contact versus non-contact ACL injuries, injury timing, joint flexion angles and foot contact with the ground. 37 side-stepping manoeuvres from a control game were analysed to allow comparison of non-injury versus injury situations.
Results 57% of ACL injuries occurred in a contact manner. 2 main scenarios were identified: (1) offensive running and (2) being tackled, indicating that the ball carrier might be at higher risk of ACL injury. The majority of non-contact ACL injuries resulted from a side-stepping manoeuvre. In most non-contact cases, initial ground contact was through heel strike. Statistical assessment of heel strike at initial ground contact versus non-heel strike cases showed a significant difference in injury versus non-injury outcomes, with heel strike associated with higher injury risk. Non-contact ACL injuries had lower median knee flexion angles and a more dorsiflexed ankle when compared with a control group (10° vs 20°, p≤0.001 and 10° vs 0°, p=0.033 respectively).
Conclusions Over half of ACL injuries in rugby in our analysis resulted from a contact mechanism. For non-contact injuries, lower knee flexion angles and heel-first ground contact in a side-stepping manoeuvre were associated with ACL injury.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/. This is an author produced version of a paper published in British Journal of Sports Medicine. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | ACL; Anterior cruciate ligament; Contact sports; Knee injuries; Rugby; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Athletic Injuries; Biomechanical Phenomena; Football; Heel; Humans; Knee Joint; Male; Range of Motion, Articular; Running; Video Recording |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Biomedical Sciences (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 14 Mar 2019 11:16 |
Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2023 21:45 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | BMJ Publishing Group |
Identification Number: | 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096425 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:143626 |