How old on average do people get before their body aches too much to play Rugby?

Question

Im 34, played for the last 6 seasons, broke my arm, my ankle, dislocated my shoulder and finger, done both knees . However nothing hurts now related to these injuries (im lucky!) but my trunk and chest does after first 'friendly game' of the season Saturday just gone. Maybe its just taking me longer generally to recover from a game!

Answer 1

I got hit on the head a couple of years ago and never really recovered

Answer 2

It never aches too much you  just move from playing to either refereeing or coaching.

Answer 3

I think this depends on what level you are playing at.

People in their 40's still play for veteran teams etc.

Everyone is different, I dont know if some hurt more that others or some people endure pain more easily.

I think for many men its not pain but disability that stops play- repeated knee or ankly injuries, dislocated shoulders etc

Answer 4

This may not help but I played for a team at home in NZ The paraparaumu golds I was the youngest at 26 the oldest was 52. We had two ex all blacks in the forwards and me stuck on the wing. The team played in the senior grade and everybody loved it. Answer? Until your heart says no it tends to keep on longer than the body (or the wife and kids) Its a great game. What helps me is touch rugby in the summer! Fast and fun

Answer 5

My aches and pains started in my early 30's after 10 years of playing.  It wasn't so much the physical aspects of the match as it was the healing process taking longer.  In college i remember hurting after a match for 3 days but ready to go by the following saturday.  In my 30's I would rather have played every other week!

I have also considered playing again in old boys games. However, "old boys" start at age 35 and i am now 47.  Old boys games can also be more dangerous because for what we lack in physical ability we make up for in cunning and cheap shots!  I would hate to be the one on the bottom of a ruck against a bunch of old timers!

Answer 6

Well... different for everyone but a guy that plays for my local 1st team is over 50.

Answer 7

Do what a lot of us have done, take up refereeing.  You are then giving something back to the game you love and also saving your body from all those aches and pains every week.

Answer 8

I started playing first team rugby at the age of 15. Played for the army when i was 18. Played provincial rugby when I was 20. Due to playing against bigger / stronger opponents the whole time my body took some serious knocks and at the age of 30 I had no other option but to say goodbye to competitive rugby.

I'm still playing rugby at the present moment but not as competitive.

Answer 9

It all depends on the individual. Obviously, with time, the body takes longer to heal between injuries. I stopped playing when I was in my 30's, but there are many men who continue in the vet teams into their 40's, where strength isn't everything, but skill and knowledge of how to avoid those nasty knocks and falls can prevent a bad injury.

The first "friendly" of the season is always about getting back into shape after the summer months. Surely it was the same in previous seasons, or did you play a much better team than your own? Tackling somebody always hurt less than being tackled (as long as you knew how to tackle and to time your tackle). That could be the problem, you haven't got your timing right, yet. This will come back with training and playing.

The time to give up is either when the body simply refuses to lift that pint at the end of the game or when you just don't enjoy it that much anymore.

I'm 46 now, I played for over 20 years. I wasn't the best player on the pitch, but I always gave 100%. I really loved playing, even though I ended up in hospital 3 times (neck twice, ribs once). I'm a bit envious of you because you can still play. Keep going for as long as you can. When you stop, that's it. Good luck for the rest of the season and don't commit any heinous crimes or you might have to wear you underpants on your head.

Answer 10

It does take your body longer to recover after a game, your getting older, as for the pain in the chest, most likely you are not as fit as you should be, as for the age thing, as a youngster playing club rugby in South Africa, we had two guy's in our team who were both older than you, Flip our prop was 41 and Nolie our hooker was 43, I bump into them quite often and they don't seem to suffer, as a fact, Nolie still ran the Comrades Marathon last year.

As long as you feel healthy and able, your still young for the game we love.

Cheers

Schuan

Answer 11

Some of the best players in the world are in there 30. Think it is a personal choice only you will know if your body is getting to tiered to play.

Answer 12

usually after a serious injury people stop but if you feel that you can continue then do. remember dorian west? retired at about 38 it can depend on fitness but rugby players generally carry on more than footy ones.

Answer 13

Im 36 , and I too have an active sports life, similiar to you 33-34 yrs I started feeling the aches and pains and felt I lost my competitiveness to the younger guys.