Introduction:

The high physical demands and risk of injury related to rugby practice make necessary the development of strategies addressed to promote the player´s welfare inside and outside of the playing field, among them, self-care becomes especially important.

Objective:

To identify the self-care´s knowledge, practices and determinants in rugby players in Bogota, Colombia.

Methods:

A qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with six players and one Physiotherapist. Data analysis was performed under the vision of the Theory of Self-Care proposed by Orem.

Results:

The players relate the concept of self-care to the prevention of injuries and better athletic performance. They assume the risk of injury linked to the sports practice if that contributes to team success. Sports culture and limited resources associated with the amateur practice are determinants of self-care.

Conclusions:

There are some notions of self-care between the Rugby players. However, their practices are derived from the available resources and sports´ culture, where the desire to play overcomes physical well-being and health care. Further studies that allow the understanding of the dynamics and group needs in order to generate strategies to promote a favourable environment for self-care practices in these players are required.

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