Abstract / Summary
Retired professional male rugby players experience various health challenges that could significantly impact their quality of life. Rugby stakeholders also have a duty of care towards current and retired players. Despite this, there remains a lack of holistic support measures for retired players. The After Rugby Career Consultation (ARCC) was introduced as a support measure for retired professional rugby players. This study aimed to present the health outcomes based on self-reported measures, as well as the doctors’ findings and related recommendations of the ARCC among retired South African national-level male rugby players. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed to present the outcomes of the ARCC. Participants were retired from national-level rugby aged up to and including 65. A national-level rugby player was defined as a player who competed at the highest or second-highest national rugby levels. Participants completed musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, mental, and neurocognitive health self-report measures (self-reported medical history and various questionnaires) before undergoing a medical examination with a medical doctor who provided their findings and recommendations. Descriptive analyses were performed for all variables and prevalence rates were calculated as the proportion of participants with a given condition. The descriptive findings, interventions, and recommendations provided by the doctor were analysed through content analysis. Thirty-one retired South African rugby players completed the ARCC. Ninety-three percent of the players received musculoskeletal health recommendations, and 35.5% were diagnosed with OA of the knee, lower back or shoulder. Twenty-nine percent of the players received neurocognitive recommendations. The doctors identified significant mental health problems in 29% of the players, and 48% of the players received mental health recommendations. The players had various health concerns linked to their rugby careers, particularly the long-term impact of injuries on their musculoskeletal and neurocognitive health. The health outcomes and recommendations provided by the ARCC highlight that retired national-level rugby players are likely to face various health challenges in retirement, particularly in the musculoskeletal, neurocognitive and mental health domains. Retired rugby players might also have concerns regarding the potential long-term effects of injuries on their musculoskeletal and neurocognitive functioning, which could negatively impact their mental health. More tailored support is needed for retired rugby players to enhance their long-term health.