The concerns regarding inevitable brain damage during a professional boxing or football career lead to other sports investigating similar risks. There is a study focusing on impact injuries in water polo. Should underwater rugby players be alarmed as well? In my opinion, not. UWR might allow more contact in its rules, but it’s well limited within fair play and the game is also well observed.
Water is our protective gear. The impacts are absorbed by the element allowing players of all weight to play rugby with each other without the risks of weight difference in collisions. The highest risk of concussion is the ball flying with high speed in the air which never happens in UWR.
If you are not worried about the increased drag, you can get caps with extra protection. Maybe polo players should consider wearing it too?
According to a study conducted in health institutions in Germany and Switzerland, the most common injury of underwater rugby is the injury of the leading hand.
Never grab the bars of the goals! This is one of the few rules. And an advice: clench your fist when you’re not holding the ball. This reduces the chances of your fingers getting caught up in someone.
