Playing through the pain: The prevalence of perceived shoulder dysfunction in uninjured rugby players using the Rugby Shoulder Score

Abstract

<p><i>Objective:</i> This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported shoulder dysfunction using the Rugby Shoulder Score (RSS) reported in arbitrary units (AU) of rugby players available for match selection (uninjured).</p> <p><i>Design:</i> Cross-sectional survey.</p> <p><i>Methods:</i> Paper survey at the mid-point of the season of uninjured players (<i>n</i> = 86 males (mean age (±SD): 26 ± 6.9y) from 8 squads (professional <i>n</i> = 34; amateur; <i>n</i> = 52)), using the RSS, subjective impact on rugby performance and previous shoulder injury, analysed using a Mann-Whitney U test.</p> <p><i>Results:</i> 55% of players reported a level of RSS dysfunction despite being uninjured. Players who also reported their shoulder was impacting on performance had significantly higher median RSS (61, IQR 28AU, p = 0.02) than those who reported no impact on performance (40, IQR 22AU). Conclusions: Findings from this study show that over half of players were playing with a level of self-reported shoulder dysfunction. This figure is higher in the professional game, for those with a history of previous injury and for forwards.</p>