scholarly journals High School Sport Specialization Patterns of Current Division I Athletes

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric G. Post ◽  
Jill M. Thein-Nissenbaum ◽  
Mikel R. Stiffler ◽  
M. Alison Brooks ◽  
David R. Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Division I ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Division I Athletes

Background: Sport specialization is a strategy to acquire superior sport performance in 1 sport but is associated with increased injury risk. Currently, the degree of high school specialization among Division I athletes is unknown. Hypothesis: College athletes will display increased rates of specialization as they progress through their high school careers. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Three hundred forty-three athletes (115 female) representing 9 sports from a Midwest Division I University completed a previously utilized sport specialization questionnaire regarding sport participation patterns for each grade of high school. McNemar and chi-square tests were used to investigate associations of grade, sport, and sex with prevalence of sport specialization category (low, moderate, high) (a priori P ≤ 0.05). Results: Specialization increased throughout high school, with 16.9% (n = 58) and 41.1% (n = 141) of athletes highly specialized in 9th and 12th grades, respectively. Football athletes were less likely to be highly specialized than nonfootball athletes for each year of high school ( P < 0.001). There was no difference in degree of specialization between sexes at any grade level ( P > 0.23). Conclusion: The majority of Division I athletes were not classified as highly specialized throughout high school, but the prevalence of high specialization increased as athletes progressed through high school. Nonfootball athletes were more likely to be highly specialized than football athletes at each grade level. Clinical Relevance: Most athletes who are recruited to participate in collegiate athletics will eventually specialize in their sport, but it does not appear that early specialization is necessary to become a Division I athlete. Athletes should be counseled regarding safe participation in sport during high school to minimize injury and maximize performance.

scholarly journals Associations of Early Sport Specialization and High Training Volume With Injury Rates in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 232596712090682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth Ahlquist ◽  
Brian M. Cash ◽  
Sharon L. Hame
Keyword(s):  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Division I ◽  
Multiple Injuries ◽  
Training Volume ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Out ◽  
Division I Athletes

Background: There are 60 million US youth who participate in organized athletics, with large increases in both sport participation and specialization during the past 2 decades. There is some evidence that increased sport specialization and training volumes may be associated with increased injuries in adolescent populations. This study examines these variables in a population of elite college athletes. Hypothesis: Early sport specialization (ESS) and a high training volume are risk factors for injury and/or surgery in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletes. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All Division I athletes at a single institution were surveyed regarding demographics, scholarship status, reason for specialization, age at specialization, training volume, and injury history. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to identify significant differences. Results: Athletes who specialized in their eventual varsity sport before age 14 years were more likely to report a history of injuries (86.9% vs 71.4%), multiple injuries (64.6% vs 48.8%), multiple college injuries (17.2% vs 6.0%), a greater number of total injuries (2.0 vs 1.0), and require more time out for an injury (15.2 vs 6.5 weeks) than those who did not. They were also more likely to be recruited (92.9% vs 82.1%) and receive a scholarship (82.8% vs 67.9%). Athletes who trained for greater than 28 hours per week in their eventual varsity sport before high school were more likely to report multiple injuries (90.0% vs 56.3%), multiple college injuries (40.0% vs 12.5%), a surgical injury (60.0% vs 22.9%), multiple surgical injuries (30.0% vs 4.7%), a greater number of total injuries (2.5 vs 2.0), and more time out for an injury (36.5 vs 11.0 weeks) than those who did not (all P < .05). However, these athletes were not more likely to be recruited (90.0% vs 89.8%) or receive a scholarship (80.0% vs 74.5%). Conclusion: NCAA Division I athletes with ESS and/or a high training volume sustained more injuries and missed more time because of an injury, but those with ESS were more likely to be recruited and receive a college scholarship. This knowledge can help inform discussions and decision making among athletes, parents, coaches, trainers, and physicians.

scholarly journals The Associations of Early Sport Specialization and Training Volume with Injury Rates in NCAA Division I Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3_suppl2) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0019
Author(s):  
Seth Ahlquist ◽  
Brian Michael Cash ◽  
Sharon L. Hame
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Division I ◽  
Multiple Injuries ◽  
Training Volume ◽  
Time Out ◽  
Division I Athletes ◽  
Surgical Injuries ◽  
Surgical Injury

Objectives: Sixty million United States youth ages 6-18 participate in organized athletics, with large increases in both sport participation and specialization in the past two decades. This study seeks to determine whether early specialization in a single sport and high training volume is associated with an increased risk of injury and surgery in NCAA Division I athletes. A secondary aim is to assess whether sport specialization and high training volume is associated with elite athletic status (i.e. being recruited and/or receiving athletic scholarships). Methods: All NCAA Division I athletes at a single institution were sent a voluntary survey by email. Athletes were surveyed regarding demographics, scholarship status, reasons for sport specialization, age of specialization, training volume, and injury/surgical history. A total of 232 out of 652 athletes completed some portion of the survey. 30 surveys were excluded due to incomplete or incorrect survey completion, leaving 202 surveys available for analysis. Injuries were defined as those which precluded sport participation for > 1 week. Early sport specialization was defined as narrowing participation to one primary sport prior to age 14. High training volume was defined as greater than 28 hours per week during pre-high school years. Exclusion criteria included incomplete surveys and individuals less than age 18. Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to establish significant differences. Results: Individuals who specialized in their varsity sport prior to age 14 were more likely to report a history of injury (86.9 vs. 74.0%, X = 4.7, p = .03), multiple injuries (64.6 vs. 49.4%, X = 4.2, p = .04), multiple college injuries (17.2 vs. 6.5%, X = 4.5, p = .03), total injuries (2 vs. 1, U = 3035, p = .02), and total time out for injury (15.2 vs. 7.0 weeks, U = 3150, p = .05). Early specializers were more likely to be recruited (92.9 vs. 83.1%, X = 4.1, p = .04) and receive a scholarship in their varsity sport (82.8 vs. 67.5%, X = 5.6, p =.02). Full scholarship athletes were more likely to report multiple surgical injuries (11.7 vs. 3.5%, X = 5.0, p =.03). Those with a scholarships greater than 50% were more likely to report a surgical injury (34.1 vs. 18.3%, X = 6.5, p = .01). Individuals who trained for greater than 28 hours per week in their varsity sport prior to high school were more likely to report multiple injuries (90.0 vs. 56.7%, X = 4.3, p = .04) multiple college injuries (40.0% vs. 14.0%, p = .05), a surgical injury (60.0 vs. 21.7%, p = .01), multiple surgical injuries (30.0 vs. 4.5%, p = .02), and greater total time out for injury (36.5 vs. 11.0 weeks, U = 424, p = .02). Individuals with a pre-high school training volume greater than 28 hours/week in their varsity sport were not more likely to be recruited (90.0 vs. 89.8%, p = 1.0) or receive a scholarship (80.0 vs. 74.5%, p = 1.0). Those in non-contact varsity sports were more likely to report multiple college injuries than those in limited and full contact sports, respectively (20.4 vs. 6.4 vs. 8.8%, X = 7.0, p = .03). Those in individual sports were more likely to report a college injury (55.3 vs. 38.9%, X = 5.1, p = .02) and multiple college injuries (25.0 vs. 7.1%, X = 12.7, p &lt .001). Conclusion: NCAA Division I athletes who specialized in their varsity sport prior to age 14 were more likely to be recruited and receive an athletic scholarship. However, these individuals, as well as those with high training volume prior to high school, had increased rates of injury and injuries requiring surgery.

scholarly journals Characterization of Prepractice Injury Prevention Exercises of High School Athletic Teams

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 511-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Slauterbeck ◽  
Autumn Reilly ◽  
Pamela M. Vacek ◽  
Rebecca Choquette ◽  
Timothy W. Tourville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Injury Prevention Program ◽  
High School Athletic

Background: Static and dynamic exercises are performed before activity to decrease injury risk and increase performance. Although evidence supports using dynamic over static stretching and performing Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ as a dynamic prepractice routine, we do not know the frequency at which these exercises are utilized in high school populations. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that there is a wide variety of preparticipation exercises performed by high school athletes, and that few high school teams perform FIFA 11+ as an injury prevention program in its entirety. Study Design: Observational study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: High school prepractice routines were observed for 185 teams (football, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse) over 1 season. The percentages of team warm-up routines that included components of FIFA 11+ were calculated, and the chi-square test was used to compare sex, sport, and level of competition. Results: Of a total 644 warm-up observations, 450 (69.9%) included only non–FIFA 11+ exercises, 56 (8.7%) included at least 1 FIFA 11+ exercise, and 38 (5.9%) included only jogging; 69 (10.6%) consisted only of sport-specific activities. The type of warm-up differed significantly between males and females ( P = 0.002), sports ( P < 0.001), and level of competition ( P < 0.001). Static stretching and athletes stretching on their own were observed in 14% and 15% of all observations. No team performed the FIFA 11+ injury prevention routine in its entirety. Conclusion: The type of warm-up differed by sex, sport, and level of competition. Static stretching was performed more frequently than anticipated, and an entire FIFA 11+ warm-up was never performed. Clinical Relevance: We need to identify the exercises that decrease injury and increase performance and better inform the athletic population about the risks and benefits of static and dynamic warm-up programs.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Youth Club Athletes Toward Sport Specialization and Sport Participation

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596711876983 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Alison Brooks ◽  
Eric G. Post ◽  
Stephanie M. Trigsted ◽  
Daniel A. Schaefer ◽  
Daniel M. Wichman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Youth Club ◽  
College Team ◽  
School Team

Background: There are a variety of proposed motivations for sport specialization, such as improving sport skills to an elite level, making all-star or travel teams, or receiving a scholarship or professional contract. However, there has not been a quantitative examination of the attitudes and beliefs that may be contributing to the trend of sport specialization and year-round sport participation. Purpose: The primary aim was to describe the attitudes and beliefs of youth club sport athletes regarding sport specialization and sport participation. A secondary objective was to investigate whether an association exists between the level of sport specialization and the belief in receiving a college scholarship. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 974 youth athletes (578 female; mean age, 14.2 ± 1.6 years) completed an anonymous questionnaire that focused on attitudes and beliefs toward sport specialization and sport participation. Questions were developed utilizing the feedback of a panel of content area experts and the University of Wisconsin Survey Center. Data were summarized using frequencies, proportions (%), and means ± SDs. Results: Fewer than half of all athletes (45.8%) believed that specialization increased their chances of getting injured either “quite a bit” or “a great deal.” However, 91% of athletes believed that specialization increased their chances of getting better at their sport either “quite a bit” or “a great deal.” Similarly, the majority of athletes believed that specialization increased their chances of making their high school team (80.9%) or a college team (66.9%) either “quite a bit” or “a great deal.” Overall, 15.7% of athletes believed that they were either “very” or “extremely” likely to receive a college scholarship based on athletic performance. Highly specialized athletes were nearly twice as likely to have a high belief in receiving a college scholarship compared with low-specialization athletes (20.2% vs 10.2%, respectively; χ2 = 18.8; P = .001). Conclusion: Most youth athletes in this study believe that specialization increases their sport performance and ability to make not only a college team but also their high school team. Highly specialized athletes were more likely to believe that they will receive a college scholarship.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Humeral Torsion and Arm Injury in Baseball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-138
Author(s):  
Joshua K. Helmkamp ◽  
Garrett S. Bullock ◽  
Allison Rao ◽  
Ellen Shanley ◽  
Charles Thigpen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Shoulder Range Of Motion ◽  
Competition Level ◽  
Humeral Torsion ◽  
The Relationship

Context: Humeral torsion (HT) has been linked to various injuries and benefits. However, the exact interplay between HT, shoulder range of motion (ROM), competition level differences, and injury risk is unclear. Objective: To determine the relationship between HT, ROM, and injury risk in baseball players. Secondarily, to determine HT based on competition level. Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until November 4, 2018. Study Selection: Inclusion criteria consisted of (1) HT measurements and (2) arm injury or shoulder ROM. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Data Extraction: Two reviewers recorded patient demographics, competition level, HT, shoulder ROM, and injury data. Results: A total of 32 studies were included. There was no difference between baseball players with shoulder and elbow injuries and noninjured players (side-to-side HT difference: mean difference [MD], 1.75 [95% CI, –1.83 to 2.18]; dominant arm: MD, 0.17 [95% CI, –1.83 to 2.18]). Meta-regression determined that for every 1° increase in shoulder internal rotation (IR), there was a subsequent increase of 0.65° in HT (95% CI, 0.28 to 1.02). HT did not explain external rotation (ER ROM: 0.19 [95% CI, –0.24 to 0.61]) or horizontal adduction (HA ROM: 0.18 [95% CI, –0.46 to 0.82]). There were no differences between HT at the high school, college, or professional levels. Conclusion: No relationship was found between HT and injury risk. However, HT explained 65% of IR ROM but did not explain ER ROM or HA ROM. There were no differences in HT pertaining to competition level. The majority of IR may be nonmodifiable. Treatment to restore and maintain clinical IR may be important, especially in players with naturally greater torsion. HT adaptation may occur prior to high school, which can assist in decisions regarding adolescent baseball participation.

scholarly journals Association of Competition Volume, Club Sports, and Sport Specialization With Sex and Lower Extremity Injury History in High School Athletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric G. Post ◽  
David R. Bell ◽  
Stephanie M. Trigsted ◽  
Adam Y. Pfaller ◽  
Scott J. Hetzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Lower Extremity Injury ◽  
Extremity Injury ◽  
High School Athletes ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Club Sport

Background: High school athletes are increasingly encouraged to participate in 1 sport year-round to increase their sport skills. However, no study has examined the association of competition volume, club sport participation, and sport specialization with sex and lower extremity injury (LEI) in a large sample of high school athletes. Hypothesis: Increased competition volume, participating on a club team outside of school sports, and high levels of specialization will all be associated with a history of LEI. Girls will be more likely to engage in higher competition volume, participate on a club team, and be classified as highly specialized. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: High school athletes completed a questionnaire prior to the start of their competitive season regarding their sport participation and previous injury history. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate associations of competition volume, club sport participation, and sport specialization with history of LEI, adjusting for sex. Results: A cohort of 1544 high school athletes (780 girls; grades 9-12) from 29 high schools completed the questionnaire. Girls were more likely to participate at high competition volume (23.2% vs 11.0%, χ2 = 84.7, P < 0.001), participate on a club team (61.2% vs 37.2%, χ2 = 88.3, P < 0.001), and be highly specialized (16.4% vs 10.4%, χ2 = 19.7, P < 0.001). Athletes with high competition volume, who participated in a club sport, or who were highly specialized had greater odds of reporting a previous LEI than those with low competition volume (odds ratio [OR], 2.08; 95% CI, 1.55-2.80; P < 0.001), no club sport participation (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.20-1.88; P < 0.001), or low specialization (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.88-3.54; P < 0.001), even after adjusting for sex. Conclusion: Participating in high sport volume, on a club team, or being highly specialized was associated with history of LEI. Girls were more likely to participate at high volumes, be active on club teams, or be highly specialized, potentially placing them at increased risk of injury. Clinical Relevance: Youth athletes, parents, and clinicians should be aware of the potential risks of intense, year-round participation in organized sports.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of Injuries in Ice Hockey

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 514-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Anderson ◽  
Heath P. Melugin ◽  
Michael J. Stuart
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Clinical Review ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Junior College ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
Hockey Players

Context: Hockey is a skillful contact sport with an elevated injury risk at higher levels of play. An understanding of injury incidence, type, mechanism, and severity at various levels of competition aids the clinician treating these athletes. The purpose of this clinical review is to discuss the epidemiology of hockey injuries at various levels of participation, including youth, high school, junior, college, and professional. Evidence Acquisition: A literature search was performed by a review of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and included articles published from 1988 to 2017. Studies were included in this review if determined to be of high quality and containing injury data relevant to the levels of competition. Pertinent data regarding ice hockey injury epidemiology and prevention at various levels of competition were analyzed. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: Youth, high school, junior, college, and professional hockey players have unique injury patterns. Injuries occur much more often in a game compared with a practice, and injury risk increases with each level of competition. Preventative measures, such as mandatory facial protection and delayed body checking in games until age 13 years, are proven strategies to reduce the risk of facial injury and concussion. Conclusion: An understanding of common injury types and mechanisms according to age and level of play aids the clinician in diagnosis and management. This information can also guide preventative strategies in the areas of education, coaching, rule enforcement, rule modifications, equipment improvement, and sportsmanship.

Comparison of Standard and Right/Left International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form Scores

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1203-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin A. Magnuson ◽  
Greg Strnad ◽  
Clair Smith ◽  
Morgan H. Jones ◽  
Paul Saluan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
A Priori ◽  
International Knee Documentation Committee ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Relevant Difference ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Injured Knee

Background: The International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF) is a validated patient-reported outcome used in clinical research. No studies exist directly comparing the standard unilateral adult version (IKDC-SKF) with the bilateral adult version (R/L IKDC-SKF). Hypotheses: The first hypothesis is that no clinically relevant difference would be observed between standard IKDC-SKF scores and involved R/L scores. The second hypothesis is that a relevant difference would be observed between involved and uninvolved scores on the R/L IKDC-SKF. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: One hundred patients were enrolled via a crossover study design. Participants were split into 2 groups per simple randomization. One group completed the standard IKDC-SKF first and the R/L IKDC-SKF second. The other group completed forms in the reverse order. A 10-minute washout period was administered between questionnaires. Participants reported their preferred form in a postquestionnaire survey. A 5-point threshold for clinical relevance was set a priori, which is less than multiple published minimal detectable change and minimal clinically important difference metrics of the standard IKDC-SKF, ranging from 6.3 to 20.5. Data were analyzed with Bland-Altman plots, paired t tests, correlations, and chi-square tests. Results: Paired t tests between the standard IKDC-SKF and the involved R/L IKDC-SKF scores demonstrated a statistically significant mean difference of 1.4 ( P = .008; 95% CI, 0.4-2.4). However, the 95% CI falls under the clinically relevant threshold of 5. Standard and involved knee scores from the R/L IKDC-SKF were highly correlated, with a rho of 0.95. Patients consistently distinguished the injured knee from the uninjured knee across a range of scores via the R/L IKDC-SKF ( P < .001). The postquestionnaire survey showed that 55 patients preferred the R/L IKDC-SKF, 30 preferred the standard IKDC-SKF, and 15 had no preference. Post hoc analysis showed a significant preference for “R/L vs standard IKDC-SKF” ( P = .014) and “R/L IKDC-SKF vs no preference” ( P < .003). Conclusion: No clinically relevant difference was observed between the standard IKDC-SKF and the involved knee score of the R/L IKDC-SKF. Therefore, for symptomatic unilateral knee diagnosis, either form can be used. The R/L IKDC-SKF showed a consistent and clinically relevant difference between involved and uninvolved knees. Patients in this study preferred the R/L IKDC-SKF.

Comparing High School Sport Specialization Trends Between Division I and Club Collegiate Athletes

2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110602
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Biese ◽  
Madeline Winans ◽  
Mayrena I. Hernandez ◽  
Daniel A. Schaefer ◽  
Eric G. Post ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Nonparametric Tests ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Division I ◽  
School Sport ◽  
Age Related ◽  
High School Sport

Background: Adolescent athletes report that sports specialization improves their ability to receive a collegiate athletics scholarship, though this is not well-understood. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported trends in high school specialization and influences for sport participation between Division I (D-I) and college-aged club (club) athletes. Hypothesis: There would be no difference in high school sport specialization or sport participation influences between D-I and club athletes. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A survey included specialization classification (low, moderate, and high) for 9th to 12th grade, age that the athlete started organized sport and his or her collegiate sport, and several influential factors for participation in one’s primary high school sport (1 = no influence to 5 = extremely influential). Chi-square analyses were used to compare specialization classifications between groups. Nonparametric tests were used to determine significant differences in age-related variables and influential factors between D-I and club athletes. All analysis were also conducted with boys and girls separately. Results: Participants included 266 D-I (girls, 155; 58%) and 180 club (girls, 122; 68%) athletes. Club athletes were more likely to be classified as low specialization at every grade in high school, and this difference was more pronounced between D-I and club female athletes than male athletes. The number of years an athlete was classified as highly specialized in high school was not different between D-I and club athletes. Club athletes were more influenced by playing with friends than D-I athletes and D-I athletes were more influenced by pursuing a collegiate scholarship than club athletes. Conclusion: High levels of specialization in high school sport may not be necessary for playing at the collegiate level, though some level of specialization in high school might be necessary. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should advocate for healthy long-term athlete development, which does not support high specialization in high school sports.

Chronic Workload, Subjective Arm Health, and Throwing Injury in High School Baseball Players: 3-Year Retrospective Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110551
Author(s):  
Sameer Mehta ◽  
Sisi Tang ◽  
Chamith Rajapakse ◽  
Scott Juzwak ◽  
Brittany Dowling
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
School Level ◽  
High School Level ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Retrospective Data Analysis ◽  
Injury Occurrence ◽  
Throwing Injury

Background: Baseball workloads are monitored by pitch counts, appearances, innings per appearance, ball velocity, and distance, whereas current workload standards neglect throws made during nongame situations. The association between total workloads, subjective measures, and injury in baseball is poorly understood. The question remains whether baseball athletes are at higher risk of injury by throwing more often or if they generate injury resilience when appropriately transitioned into the higher demands of throwing. Hypothesis: Increased chronic load, along with subjective arm health measures, are related to decreased injury risk. Study Design: Clinical research. Level of evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 49 male baseball players (age 17.9 ± 0.4 years, height 181.8 ± 6.8 cm, body mass 80.6 ± 9.1 kg) competing at the varsity high school level were included in this 3-year retrospective data analysis from 2016 to 2019. Players wore the motusTHROW sleeve and sensor during all throwing activities. Results: A total of 898,492 throws and 9455 athletic exposures were captured with the motusTHROW sensors. There were 24 injuries recorded throughout the 3-year analysis, with 11 throwing-related and 13 non–throwing related injuries. Results of the 1-way analysis of variance found chronic load was significantly related to throwing-injury occurrence ( P < 0.01). Six of the throwing-related injuries occurred when athletes had a chronic load greater than 11.3, marking 75th percentile across all observations. There was a relationship between arm health and throwing arm–related injury occurrence ( P < 0.01). Higher chronic load was associated with increased throwing-related injuries even when adjusted for arm health ( P = 0.01). Specifically, injuries were more likely to occur in pitchers (either as a combination player or pitcher only) with a chronic load greater than 9.2. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant relationship between chronic load, subjective arm health, and throwing-related injury in varsity high school baseball players. Contrary to our hypothesis, increased chronic load was associated with increased injury risk. However, subjective arm health measures remain a relevant factor in assessing injury risk. Normative data for this population also provide key information around positional demands along with overall demands of the sport during the competitive season and off-season.

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