INJURY AUDIT: The English Rugby Football Union yesterday released details of a world-leading injury audit, covering all registered professional players.
It is aimed at monitoring injuries sustained in matches and training at both the Zurich Premiership clubs and England representative sessions.
Originally commissioned in November 2001, the study has now been rolled out to all 12 Premiership clubs.
"Having piloted the audit successfully at three Premiership clubs (Northampton, Saracens and Leicester) at the end of the 2001/02 season, we have been reviewing the data from this year's pre-season training period," said England team doctor, Dr Simon Kemp.
"These results show that around 18 per cent of injuries occurring during the pre-season training period were non-contact soft-tissue injuries. The most common injuries were hamstring pulls, calf and thigh strains.
"These ought to be largely preventable, and can cost the respective clubs significant sums of money when their players are not available for selection," he added.
"The study is unique in linking injury to training practices, and for the first time, we will be able to provide the clubs with evidence-based recommendations on how best to reduce the risk of injury."
England fitness advisor Dave Reddin added: "The audit will play a role in helping us to answer key questions relating to the number of games a player should play, the amount of contact training they do and the appropriate length of the off-season. In the long-term, it will help us improve the preparation of players."
