The ex-player injury study that has shocked ex-England back Jon Sleightholme into action 17 years after retirement
Seventeen years after retirement, Jon Sleightholme keeps himself in fine shape, cycling and hiking and running a successful business, so when the former England wing sat in a university laboratory and was told his bone density had diminished, it came as something of a jolt.
Sleightholme was one of over 250 retired rugby union and league players who took part in an independent Durham University study assessing the frequency and impact of injuries.
The first tranche of research – published on July 16 – found that former players were up to seven times more likely to sustain an injury, and up to nine times more likely to suffer the continued effects of injury than age-matched control subjects who had never played contact sport.
Osteoarthritis was more than twice as common in the rugby players and most had suffered a concussion during their careers. Brain injury data is currently being analysed and Dr Karen Hind, the study’s lead author, is excited about what the early findings indicate, although they will not be released for several months.
Sleightholme, whose son Ollie plays for Northampton Saints, is unsettled by the lack of care for retired players nursing long-term injuries. Their access to leading medical treatment often vanishes as soon as their contracts expire.
A new study by @DrKarenHind @DUSportExSci reveals the long-term impact of #rugby injuries after retirement from the sport.
Find out more ? https://t.co/ULcNVOdDxc@UKRugbyHealth @AUTUni #rugbyleague #rugbyunion #rugbyhealth #concussion pic.twitter.com/7HsrTGsK6S
— Durham University (@durham_uni) July 16, 2020
“There absolutely does need to be more aftercare for retired players and this study shines a light on that,” the 47-year-old told RugbyPass. “It’s only going to get more challenging; you’re only going to get more players suffering the long-term effects of injuries.
“Let me just say, we wouldn’t change it for the world – in most cases, the boys loved what they have done. It’s not rugby players complaining. It’s about people understanding that you are in this environment where everything is done for you and the minute you retire, all of that goes.
“Most guys don’t know how to book an appointment at the doctor because they have never had to. Things like medical insurance, a lot of the injuries you had as a rugby player, you won’t be able to get cover for – pre-existing conditions with joints and whatnot. I know a lot of players who have struggled and been left high and dry.
“There are some quite alarming results in this study that we need to focus on. It’s primarily tested my generation of players who have retired in the last 10-15 years. Since then, the game has evolved again to be this phenomenal high-speed collision sport.
“The medical treatment for these guys is probably better than ever, but the long-term effects and the challenges post-retirement are still there. Where do they get that support long-term? That’s a huge dilemma for the sport to address.”
Each former player, including Sleightholme, completed a lengthy health questionnaire and then attended the laboratory for a series of tests. Blood samples were collected, cardiovascular examinations were done, fat measurements taken, bones and joints analysed. Subjects were aged between 21 and 82, but the majority were in their forties, and many had played professional rugby union.
The study, published in the academic journal Sports Medicine, received no funding from the sports’ governing bodies. Thus, unlike previous attempts to release certain player welfare data, it was not subject to interference from administrators.
“It was quite an eye-opener to go through the tests and actually see what was happening to my body several years after I retired,” said Sleightholme, who scored ten tries in 50 starts for Northampton. “It showed a number of things which alarmed me. It showed degeneration in the quality of my bones. A lot of that was down to the fact that because of back and knee injuries I was managing, I’d stopped running and doing weight training.
“I started cycling, like a lot of my peer group, because our joints are all stuffed. Cycling is really good for cardiovascular fitness but it doesn’t do a lot for your bone density. I’ve not really been anywhere near a weights room since I retired. It was alarming to see that the quality of my bones was deteriorating.
Cumulative #injury & Long-Term Impacts of #Rugby & #RugbyLeague ? First published study from the UK #RugbyHealth project ?? @DrKarenHind @DUSportExSci @ProfPatria Freely available here: https://t.co/luFms6WYuD #openaccess pic.twitter.com/isftWbsj9B
— Sports Medicine (@SportsMedicineJ) July 16, 2020
“They said that when I was in the middle of my rugby career weight training and running a lot, my bone density would probably be higher than the average person. As a retired player, because of managing injuries, my bone density was probably worse than the average person and it is clearly linked to osteoarthritis, the degeneration of your bones and joints.”
These findings compelled Sleightholme to – cautiously – take up running again and include bodyweight exercises in his training regime. He knows he is nowhere near as grievously afflicted as a number of his contemporaries. The injury rate concerns Dr Hind, who specialises in bone and body composition and retired athlete health. The game, she claimed, is inflicting too much damage on its prized athletes.
“From what we’ve found the levels of injury are unacceptable,” she said. “They are too high, especially across a career. These guys are not machines. When they retire from rugby they have a life after playing. It’s really important to ensure they have a better quality of life when they retire. That will involve trying to prevent these recurrent injuries but also improving the management of the injuries post-retirement, strategies looking at how players can best be supported when they retire.
“There needs to be a lot more emphasis on the management of injuries. It’s too much for the human body to take year after year, to the point where they have to retire because their body can’t take any more and they are struggling to play football with their kids. It needs to be given a lot more concern from governing bodies. They need to be taking this really seriously.”
Tuned up and ready for a spin #ReasonsToBeCheerful pic.twitter.com/UunZxzByiq
— Jon Sleightholme (@JonSleightholme) March 26, 2020
In a bid to reduce concussion, World Rugby have implemented a lower legal tackle height and harsher penalties for those who break it, but both Dr Hind and Sleightholme want more to be done. They support imposing a limit on contact training sessions, such as the NFL introduced in 2011.
“We know from research elsewhere that the tackle is the major cause of injury, so perhaps there needs to be consideration given to reducing the volume of contact in training and making sure there is adequate rest between seasons and international matches as well,” suggested Dr Hind.
“You might want to consider the number of players on the pitch, which has been suggested before. When players move from club to club, their injury history and that knowledge doesn’t move. They might keep that information to themselves because they don’t want their new club to know.
“Players need to feel comfortable about the injuries they have sustained and have the appropriate medical support to prevent them from recurring. These are suggestions and it’s for the governing bodies to work out themselves. But we need to think about how to make players safe when they are playing.”
If you are a rugby person please join the challenge of posting a rugby photo. Just one picture, no description. Please copy the text in your status, post a picture and look at some great memories/pictures pic.twitter.com/yx0F4BaSf8
— Jon Sleightholme (@JonSleightholme) March 31, 2020
During testing, the researchers encountered numerous players who felt abandoned after retiring, left to manage chronic injuries and seek potentially costly treatment. This is Sleightholme’s greatest worry, a lack of support for those who empty themselves for club and country and are then cast aside.
“As a rugby player, you don’t want for access to the best medical treatment and advice you could ask for because essentially you are a commodity and they want you out on the pitch as soon as you can,” he said. “The minute you retire, that goes. You can’t just go to see the doctor, the physio, the nutritionist, all of this support around you. And it’s sometimes not immediately post-retirement that you need support.
“If you were still playing and needed an operation, you would clearly get that operation and it would be paid for. The game is facing a financial crisis and there will be loads of guys nursing ankles, knees, shoulders that you would manage as you were playing, but they are now out of contract and are going to be that situation.
“That is where the game needs to support those players who need those operations, that physiotherapy, particularly if they are then retiring and they want to live a normal life. It’s a tricky situation pinpointing exactly who needs to pay for it and each case will be different, but we’re in absolutely no doubt that the responsibility lies with the teams those players played for to pick up those medical costs so these guys can live as much of a normal life as possible in retirement.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments