Scottish academy rugby players' lived experiences of career-related traumatic injuries and injury rehabilitation

: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Background: Rugby Union is a popular contact sport. Consequently, injury rates are high, and injuries become an inevitable part of a player’s career. There has been major criticism of the sports governing bodies around player welfare and sufficient support for injured players. It is therefore important to understand the injury experiences of players in order to optimise their support networks and wellbeing to allow them to continue their careers.

Aim: To discuss the lived experiences of a cohort of traumatically injured ex-Scottish Rugby academy rugby players in order to understand the support athletes received at the time of their injuries and throughout their rehabilitation periods.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was taken towards data collection, which involved a survey with 208 respondents and semi-structured interviews with 6 participants. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was the chosen qualitative lens used to analyse and develop themes.

Findings: Three main themes emerged from the analysis, each comprising of three sub-themes; 1) Isolation (1a. Loneliness, 1b. Lack of personal contact, 1c. Jealousy), 2) Change of relationship with the physical body (2a. Re-injury anxiety, 2b. Loss of identity, 2c. Motivations), 3) Career Worries (3a. Regrets, 3b. Stress, 3c. Future careers).

Conclusion: There are many physical and psychological challenges facing injured rugby players. Support networks are a key coping mechanism. Rugby’s governing bodies need to implement evaluated injury support frameworks.

Date of Award	4 Nov 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Abertay University
Supervisor	David Scott (Supervisor) & Scott Hardie (Supervisor)