A Galway accident and emergency (A&E) consultant has advised tag rugby players to ensure they have an adequate level of fitness before taking up the game, so as to avoid injury.
The mixed sport of tag rugby (and its offshoot rag rugby) has become increasingly popular in Ireland where it is run by the Irish Tag Rugby Association. However, the craze for the game is leading to an increase in attendances at A&E departments around the country.
A&E consultant at University College Hospital, Galway, John O'Donnell said his department had seen a significant number of injuries sustained during tag and rag rugby games.
The most common injuries were of the hand, finger and wrist, and there had also been a lot of knee, cruciate ligament, shin and lower leg injuries, he said.
Many of the hand injuries were sustained from falling awkwardly, while other injuries were caused by players banging heads.
Mr O'Donnell pointed out that the more serious injuries such as torn cruciate ligaments and shin-bone fractures tended to strike female players.
As doctor for the Connacht rugby team, Mr O'Donnell said participation in all sports should be encouraged, but he advised anybody playing a competitive sport to be at a certain level of fitness before they started.
He explained the average age of the tag and rag rugby players presenting to A&E with injuries was mid- to late 30s, and they might not be as fit as younger players. Most of the soft tissue injuries- muscle tears and strains - occurred in that age group.
"In fairness to the Irish Tag Rugby Association, they have stressed players should not wear shorts with pockets, as they were leading to a lot of finger and hand injuries a number of years ago.
"Players now have to wear a velcro tag on each side of their shorts which their opponents have to grab," he said.
The game of tag rugby evolved from touch rugby and is played by teams of seven players.
Each player wears a belt that has two velcro tags attached to it or shorts with velcro patches. The defenders have to pull the velcro tags from the ball-carrying attacking player to force the player to pass the ball.
The most popular league organised by the association is the social league, played by mixed teams of men and women with a minimum of three female players on the pitch. There are also "super" leagues played by all-male teams, women's leagues and veterans' leagues where players must be over 35.
