Being a close contact team sport, it is unsurprising there are multiple injuries within that 80
minutes of play.
Rugby is a demanding sport which acquires speed, agility, endurance and of course power.
Overuse injuries are a common occurrence in rugby, including tendinitis and bursitis.
Though not considered a serious injury, build-up of these can adversely affect performance
even leading to more complicated injuries if not properly addressed and managed.
Repetitive contact forces and rotational forces from the fast changes in direction, whilst
being pummelled by an incoming 242-pound prop can surely justify why ankle and knee
injuries including that of the medial collateral ligament (MCL), anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) and meniscal tears are well known incidences on pitch.
Clearly the nature of the game can not be altered, however the importance of working to
gain and maintain good levels of endurance, strength and flexibility have repeatedly been
proven in aiding a successful rehabilitation back to play or simply maintenance in season.
Vald testing just might be that additional analysis players need for identifying areas of the
body prone to injury. By enabling accessibility, this new equipment is designed to accurately
and reliably test targeted muscle groups for better sporting performance.
The forcedecks system, particularly, is designed to analyse strength and balance by
detecting multiple movements performed by the athlete individually or an entire squad.
Once the testing is completed instant interpretation and visual breakdowns can follow in
order to attain faster learning and improvement on their performance.
By investigating which muscle groups are likely to fatigue during a match, it can help sports
people and teams devise personalised rehabilitation plans for optimal training efficacy, load
monitoring and recovery in the lead up to game day, as a way of reducing likelihood of
injury.