Know your gear

Scientists agree: Protective gear DO help prevent rugby injuries

The Currie Cup final of 2008 was an unforgettable experience for thousands of Sharks-supporters, as the team won the coveted trophy in the traditional showpiece of South African rugby against the side that “robbed” them of Super 14-glory through a remarkable Bryan Habana-try in 2007, the Bulls.

Ruan Pienaar’s short burst and elusive run took him to the try-line and past the desperate defensive efforts by Fourie du Preez and Pierre Spies. And Frans Steyn put the spectacular finishing touches to a move in which Stefan Terblanche and Frederic Michalak featured prominently with dazzling runs and well-timed passes.

The Sharks prevailed in a bruising encounter, and when the dust settled in the Absa Stadium, 30 men, and the benches, were left standing in spite of the physical and bone-crunching nature of this match.

A casual observer, ET just visiting the planet and the KwaZulu-Natal representative of Arrive Alive would have noted that there was no serious injuries in vulnerable areas like the shoulders, head and specifically the mouth, in spite of some full frontal assaults and head on collisions.

Discovery SharkSmart, the Sharks guide to playing rugby through the prevention of injuries and wiser practice and play, would offer such observers a short, and a comprehensive answer, to the reasons why the players survived unscathed.

As part of a comprehensive 10-point plan, Discovery Sharksmart outline the importance of protecting your assets through the correct use of mouthguards, padded equipment and headgear.

Mouthguards help to reduce injuries to the teeth, lips, mouth and tongue, and help to reduce jaw fractures. There is no evidence they decrease the risk of concussion. Ensure your players wear mouthguards in activities involving collision or body contact, including during training, states Discovery SharkSmart.

Coaches and management are advised to encourage their players to use mouthguards.

Research evidence shows that many rugby injuries are minor, like bruises, bumps, cuts and lacerations. Padded equipment such as shoulder and breast pads can help reduced the number of cuts and lacerations players sustain.

Padded equipment does not appear to protect players against severe injuries, and is not appropriate for allowing injured players to resume participation before they are fully recovered, adds Discovery SharkSmart.

SharkSmart says headgear must be fitted properly and securely to prevent serious cuts to the scalp and ears. They add a cautionary note: There is no evidence that headgear protects against concussion.

The Superman-syndrome

But let’s play devil’s advocate for a moment and use Clint Readhead, medical manager of South African rugby, to make some probing comments: “If two sides take the field, fit and healthy, using their protective wear, the mouth guards and shoulder pads, and they play the game in good spirit and within the rules, the chances of serious injuries might be minimal.

“But one must understand that the use of protective wear does not secure you protection against concussion. The one worry is that some young upstart might use the gear and get a Superman syndrome or feel that he is untouchable and indestructible, and can pretty much do what he likes.”

He adds that the use of protective equipment may give players a false sense of security that they will not get injured, thus changing the way in which they perceive and play the game.

Readhead adds that this is why the use of protective wear, mouth guards and shoulder pads are only part of the deal to stay injury-free. You still need to be fit, you must play in a position that fits your strength and size, adhere to the correct code of conduct, play within the rules of the game.

Rules of engagement

The so-called rules of engagement are important. The rules are designed to offer the players maximum protection. If these rules are not adhered to the players will be placed at risk.

Coaching at the junior levels is extremely important as this is where the players will be introduced to the correct techniques, For example, the front row forward will be taught the correct body position, how to tackle correctly. It also becomes very important for coaches to be accredited so that the correct techniques are taught to the kids.

“In short, protective gear must be used within the right parameters, which is something that is promoted and advocated by SharkSmart,” adds Readhead.

SharkSmart’s ten-point plan

Protective equipment is part of a well-researched and a comprehensive ten-point plan outlined by Discovery SharkSmart. Some of the other points include injury management, fair play, physical conditioning and technique.

How many coaches have lost key players to injury right at the beginning of the season... and were left to rue what might have been? Research by SANZAR unions show that players are at most risk of injury during the early part of the season — the trial games and the first few competition games in particular, states Discovery SharkSmart on their website, www.sharksmart.co.za.

The pre-season, therefore, is the vital time to future-proof bodies against the impacts they’ll take.

Readhead says the Sharks are one of the leading provinces in taking the initiative to educate juniors by using the SharkSmart program. They have produced a SharkSmart DVD that is used extensively by schools, a DVD that has created heightened safety awareness within rugby.

Every province in South Africa provide some form of rugby education to their schools, but the Sharks went one step further in formalizing a programme. They have taken it to the next level, he believes.

SharkSmart’s travelling salesmen

Two of the reasons for the effectiveness of the Discovery SharkSmart program in spreading the gospel of the use of protective wear and gear, are the use of sport scientists in giving professional input on different aspects of a safer rugby environment and structure, as well as employing current Sharks-players and Springboks in speaking to clubs and schools on the SharkSmart-program.

Well-known sport scientists like Prof. Tim Noakes is often used to write on different subjects like nutrition, self-belief and fitness.

Prominent players like John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Pienaar and Terblanche speak at schools and clubs where they endorse and promote the Discovery SharkSmart programme and emphasize the importance of using the protective wear and the ten-point plan to prevent injuries and enjoy the game of rugby.