Rugby and Health

What are the cons-indications to the practice of rugby?

rugby2Dr Mombet: The cons-indications are those of any sport (heart disease, neuropathy ...). Specific cons-indication is the lack of a peer body: arm or leg, of course, but also eye or kidney. Insufficient against vision is also indicated: a high myopia (less than three diopters) exposed to a greater risk of retinal detachment. Playing rugby requires adequate cardiovascular and respiratory abilities. However, conditions such as asthma or diabetes are not against indications.

Doctissimo: What are the health benefits associated with playing rugby?

Dr. Mombet: Above all, rugby is the best team sport. It's the one with the most players in the field. This game allows a team to develop the personality and requires a certain humility: one can not succeed without the help of others. Furthermore, rugby improves resistance to pain and stress. It allows not to be afraid of contact, or the fall of the opponent. For children, it is a very educational sport. This is a great school of life.

Doctissimo: What are the most common injuries associated with playing rugby?

Dr. Mombet: The main injury concern the knee and shoulder. Then we meet sprains, muscle injuries and bruises more or less important. Rugby is both a racing sport, contact and falls. So we pathologies that come with it: 50% of injuries occur during plating, and 50% due to mixed or groups.

Doctissimo: What are the age limits?

Dr. Mombet: Children can begin as early as six years. The practice is then a game, without competition, to learn to fall and to not be afraid of the contact. In small, the game is more structured, with limited staff. The game begins only 15 cadets and juniors. There is no upper age limit. There is no category of veterans, practitioners play in seniors. From 35 years, players should spend cardiological tests every two years, then every year after age 40. You should know that rugby is a demanding sport, especially regarding the contact and falls. For me, continuing after 60 years is not reasonable.

Doctissimo: What are the recommended protective equipment?

Dr. Mombet: Players usually wear shin guards. The mouthguard is recommended but not necessarily very used in France, whereas it is compulsory in New Zealand for example. It is true that a good mouthguard expensive. The use of shells is declining: it was once fashionable to "touch" the testicles of the opponent in melee, but this is no longer done. Some players put a helmet or protective shoulder. In all cases, this protection should not do more than one centimeter thick and be approved by the International Rugby Board. The helmet must be washable and waterproof and light color. The protections of shoulders should just cover the clavicular region. The helmet can protect the ears or scalp, but does not necessarily prevent injury. The wearing of protective equipment is currently being debated internationally. The Scots, for example, are against the use of such equipment. It is true that the protections can create a false sense of security and lead to greater risk-taking.