INJURY CONSEQUENCES FROM PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE -A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Objective-To conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if injur ies sustained while playing professional rugby league have long term c onsequences for players after retirement from their playing careers. M ethod-Twenty eight retired players, who had competed in the profession al Australian Rugby League competition, responded to a 23 item survey. Respondents were asked to recall all injuries that resulted in them b eing unable to play for five or more consecutive games. The survey ask ed players to provide information about age, playing weight, number of games played, position played, number and type of major injuries sust ained during their career, and the effects of these injuries both duri ng their career and after retirement. Results-Within the limitations o f this study's small sample, it is suggested that players with long te rm consequences of injury may experience a variety of detrimental effe cts into retirement, including job limitations, reduced income earning potential, and increased personal medical costs. Conclusion-Although research relating to the type and severity of injuries sustained while playing rugby league has been previously undertaken, investigation in to the effect injuries sustained during a professional career have on players after retirement has been neglected. This preliminary investig ation suggests that retired professional rugby league players may have at least one long term consequence of injuries sustained during their playing career.