Projects per year
Abstract
Objectives:
The aim of the present study was to address the dearth of injury surveillance data on the female athlete. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, mechanism, and reporting behaviours of contact breast injury (CBI) and exercise-induced breast pain (EIBP) in U18 female international Rugby Union players.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey that included questions on breast health, pain, and injury was distributed to players (n=83, 16.9 ± 0.7 years) participating in the Women’s U18 Six Nations Tournament.
Results:
Approximately half of players (52%) reported experiencing EIBP, with 48% experiencing it occasionally and 20% sometimes. The activities associated with the highest severity of EIBP were jumping, running, and catching. One fifth of players reported that breast pain had affected their ability to give 100% in a match or training.
The incidence of CBI was 44%, with 75% reporting >1 in the past year. Sixty-one percent of players reported their most severe CBI healed within 1-2 weeks. Contact with another athlete was the most reported contributing factor (84%), followed by direct contact with the ground (51%). Seventy-six percent of players did not report their most severe CBI, with those who did informing either a parent or a teammate. No injuries were reported to a coach or medical professional. Sixty percent of players did not consciously adopt strategies to prevent CBI, with only 10% reporting wearing female specific protective armour.
Conclusion:
Our data confirms a high prevalence of CBI and EIBP in adolescent women’s rugby. Nevertheless, findings indicate limited reporting of injuries of this topology to medical professionals. Given the significance of under-reporting on the developing athlete, further education on breast health is critical. Greater awareness of breast pain and injury is necessary to improve reporting and pain management. Further research should aim to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce occurrence.
The aim of the present study was to address the dearth of injury surveillance data on the female athlete. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, mechanism, and reporting behaviours of contact breast injury (CBI) and exercise-induced breast pain (EIBP) in U18 female international Rugby Union players.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey that included questions on breast health, pain, and injury was distributed to players (n=83, 16.9 ± 0.7 years) participating in the Women’s U18 Six Nations Tournament.
Results:
Approximately half of players (52%) reported experiencing EIBP, with 48% experiencing it occasionally and 20% sometimes. The activities associated with the highest severity of EIBP were jumping, running, and catching. One fifth of players reported that breast pain had affected their ability to give 100% in a match or training.
The incidence of CBI was 44%, with 75% reporting >1 in the past year. Sixty-one percent of players reported their most severe CBI healed within 1-2 weeks. Contact with another athlete was the most reported contributing factor (84%), followed by direct contact with the ground (51%). Seventy-six percent of players did not report their most severe CBI, with those who did informing either a parent or a teammate. No injuries were reported to a coach or medical professional. Sixty percent of players did not consciously adopt strategies to prevent CBI, with only 10% reporting wearing female specific protective armour.
Conclusion:
Our data confirms a high prevalence of CBI and EIBP in adolescent women’s rugby. Nevertheless, findings indicate limited reporting of injuries of this topology to medical professionals. Given the significance of under-reporting on the developing athlete, further education on breast health is critical. Greater awareness of breast pain and injury is necessary to improve reporting and pain management. Further research should aim to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce occurrence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 26 Jun 2025 |
| Event | Women in Sport and Exercise Academic Network (WiSEAN) - Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom Duration: 26 Jun 2025 → 27 Jun 2025 https://www.wisean.net/conferences |
Conference
| Conference | Women in Sport and Exercise Academic Network (WiSEAN) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | WiSEAN |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Leeds |
| Period | 26/06/25 → 27/06/25 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Female sport
- Injury prevention
- Breast
- breast pain
- Rugby
- Adolescent female
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of '‘The Hidden Cost of the Game’: Breast Injury and Breast Pain in U18 International Female Rugby Players'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Active
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WISGYR: Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls Youth Rugby (WISGYR)
Owen, J. (PI)
1/06/23 → 30/06/26
Project: Research
Activities
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Women's U18 Six Nations Rugby Player Welfare Project
Owen, J. (Organiser), Harrison, S. (Participant), Gottwald, V. (Participant), Evans, S. (Participant), Kirby, E. (Participant), Studt, S. (Participant) & Jones, M. (Participant)
29 Mar 2024 → 6 Apr 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course
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WISGYR Project Film
Owen, J. (Contributor)
1 Jul 2023 → 1 Feb 2024Activity: Other › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
File
Prizes
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Best Oral Presentation in Sport & Exercise Science
Kirby, E. (Recipient), 26 Jun 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)