Epidemiology of Cervical Muscle Strains in Collegiate and High School Football Athletes, 2011–2012 Through 2013–2014 Academic Years

Context Cervical muscle strains are an often-overlooked injury, with neck- and spine-related research typically focusing on spinal cord and vertebral injuries. Objective To examine the rates and distributions of cervical muscle strains in collegiate and high school football athletes. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Collegiate and high school football teams. Patients or Other Participants The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP) collected data from collegiate football athletes. The High School National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network (HS NATION) and High School Reporting Information Online (HS RIO) collected data from high school football athletes. Data from the 2011–2012 through 2013–2014 academic years were used. Main Outcome Measure(s) Athletic trainers collected injury and exposure data for football players. Injury counts, injury rates per 10 000 athlete-exposures (AEs), and injury rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results The NCAA-ISP reported 49 cervical muscle strains (rate = 0.96/10 000 AEs), of which 28 (57.1%) were TL (time loss; rate = 0.55/10 000 AEs). High School NATION reported 184 cervical muscle strains (rate = 1.66/10 000 AEs), of which 33 (17.9%) were TL injuries (rate = 0.30/10 000 AEs). The HS RIO, which collects only TL injuries, reported 120 TL cervical muscle strains (rate = 0.51/10 000 AEs). The overall injury rate was lower in the NCAA-ISP than in HS NATION (injury rate ratio = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.42, 0.79); when restricted to TL injuries, the overall injury rate was higher in the NCAA-ISP (injury rate ratio = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.11, 3.03). No differences were found when comparing TL injuries in HS RIO and the NCAA-ISP. Cervical muscle-strain rates were higher during competitions than during practices across all 3 surveillance systems for all injuries. Most cervical muscle strains were due to player contact (NCAA-ISP = 85.7%, HS NATION = 78.8%, HS RIO = 85.8%). Conclusions The incidence of cervical muscle strains in football players was low compared with other injuries. Nonetheless, identifying and implementing interventions, particularly those aimed at reducing unsafe player contact, are essential to further decrease the risk of injury and associated adverse outcomes.

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The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in United States High School Football (2005–2006 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Football (2004–2005 Through 2013–2014)

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-144-17 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 738-751 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Zachary Y. Kerr ◽

Gary B. Wilkerson ◽

Shane V. Caswell ◽

Dustin W. Currie ◽

Lauren A. Pierpoint ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Sports Injury ◽

Injury Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Time Loss ◽

High School Football ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Web Based

Context: The advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program has aided the acquisition of football injury data.Objective: To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school football in the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years and collegiate football in the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance.Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.Setting: Online injury surveillance from football teams of high school boys (annual average = 100) and collegiate men (annual average = 43).Patients or Other Participants: Football players who participated in practices and competitions during the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years in high school or the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years in college.Main Outcome Measure(s): Athletic trainers collected time-loss injury (≥24 hours) and exposure data. Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and injury proportions by body site and diagnosis were calculated.Results: The High School Reporting Information Online system documented 18 189 time-loss injuries during 4 539 636 AEs; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program documented 22 766 time-loss injuries during 3 121 476 AEs. The injury rate was higher among collegiate than high school (7.29 versus 4.01/1000 AEs; IRR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.79, 1.86) athletes. Most injuries occurred during competitions in high school (53.2%) and practices in college (60.9%). The competition injury rate was higher than the practice injury rate among both high school (IRR = 5.62; 95% CI = 5.46, 5.78) and collegiate (IRR = 6.59; 95% CI = 6.41, 6.76) players. Most injuries at both levels affected the lower extremity and the shoulder/clavicle and were diagnosed as ligament sprains and muscle/tendon strains. However, concussion was a common injury during competitions among most positions.Conclusions: Injury rates were higher in college than in high school and higher for competitions than for practices. Concussion was a frequent injury sustained during competitions, which confirms the need to develop interventions to mitigate its incidence and severity.

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Epidemiology of Exertional Heat Illnesses in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes During the 2009–2010 Through 2014–2015 Academic Years

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-504-17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 55-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Susan W. Yeargin ◽

Thomas P. Dompier ◽

Douglas J. Casa ◽

Rebecca M. Hirschhorn ◽

Zachary Y. Kerr

Keyword(s):

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Injury Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Football Players ◽

Collegiate Sports ◽

Emergency Transport ◽

Environmental Guidelines ◽

The Individual ◽

Individual Sports

Context Exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) among football athletes have been widely researched, but data examining all collegiate sports are limited. Objective To describe the epidemiology of EHI in 25 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting The NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2009–2010 through 2014–2015 academic years. Patients or Other Participants A voluntary sample of 166 NCAA institutions over 2048 team-seasons. Main Outcome Measure(s) Athletic trainers reported EHIs to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program. Only EHIs sustained during a sanctioned practice or competition were included. The EHI rate, specific diagnoses, and number of emergency transports were measured. Results Overall, 232 EHI events were reported (0.47/10 000 athlete-exposures [AEs]; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.41, 0.53). Football comprised 75% of all EHI events and had the largest rate (1.55/10 000 AEs; 95% CI = 1.32, 1.78). The overall EHI rate was higher in preseason practices (1.16/10 000 AEs) than all other time periods (regular and postseason practices and all competitions; 0.23/10 000 AEs, injury rate ratio [IRR] = 4.96; 95% CI = 3.79, 6.50). This result was retained when examining the individual sports of football (3.65/10 000 versus 0.63/10 000 AEs, IRR = 5.82; 95% CI = 4.18, 8.10), men's soccer (1.11/10 000 versus 0.07/10 000 AEs, IRR = 16.819; 95% CI = 1.89, 138.55), and women's soccer (1.10/10 000 versus 0.05/10 000 AEs, IRR = 22.52; 95% CI = 2.77, 183.05). The EHI rates were highest in states with elevated annual temperatures (1.05/10 000 AEs). Heat cramps (39%), heat exhaustion (27%), and dehydration (29%) were the most common types of EHI. Nineteen athletes with EHI (8%) required emergency transport. Conclusions Football players continue to experience the most EHIs; however, EHIs can potentially occur in all NCAA sports. Continued emphasis on preseason EHI policies and institution-specific environmental guidelines is needed to address EHI rates.

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The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Boys' Lacrosse (2008–2009 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Lacrosse (2004–2005 Through 2013–2014)

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-200-17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 30-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lauren A. Pierpoint ◽

Andrew E. Lincoln ◽

Nina Walker ◽

Shane V. Caswell ◽

Dustin W. Currie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Sports Injury ◽

Injury Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Time Loss ◽

Annual Average ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Web Based

ContextThe advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program has aided the acquisition of boys' and men's lacrosse injury data.ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school boys' lacrosse in the 2008–2009 through 2013–2014 academic years and collegiate men's lacrosse in the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance.DesignDescriptive epidemiology study.SettingOnline injury surveillance from lacrosse teams of high school boys (annual average = 55) and collegiate men (annual average = 14).Patients or Other ParticipantsBoys' and men's lacrosse players who participated in practices and competitions during the 2008–2009 through 2013–2014 academic years in high school or the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years in college.Main Outcome Measure(s)Athletic trainers collected time-loss (≥24 hours) injury and exposure data. Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and injury proportions by body site and diagnosis were calculated.ResultsHigh School Reporting Information Online documented 1407 time-loss injuries during 662 960 AEs. The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program documented 1882 time-loss injuries during 390 029 AEs. The total injury rate from 2008–2009 through 2013–2014 was higher in college than in high school (3.77 versus 2.12/1000 AEs; IRR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.63, 1.94). Most injuries occurred during competitions in high school (61.4%) and practices in college (61.4%). Injury rates were higher in competitions compared with practices in high school (IRR = 3.59; 95% CI = 3.23, 4.00) and college (IRR = 3.38; 95% CI = 3.08, 3.71). Lower limb injuries, muscle strains, and ligament sprains were common at both levels. Concussion was the most frequent competition diagnosis for all high school player positions.ConclusionsRates of time-loss injury were higher in college versus high school and in competitions versus practices. Attention to preventing common lower leg injuries and concussions, especially at the high school level, is essential to decrease their incidence and severity.

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We Love You, We Hate You: Fan Twitter Response to Top College Football Recruits’ Decisions

International Journal of Sport Communication ◽

10.1123/ijsc.2021-0031 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Jason Stamm ◽

Brandon Boatwright

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Division I ◽

Parasocial Interaction ◽

Football Players ◽

High School Athletes ◽

High School Football ◽

Theoretical Underpinning ◽

Two Stages ◽

Practical Implications

Using a theoretical underpinning of parasocial interaction—BIRGing (basking in reflected glory) and CORFing (cutting off reflected failure)—this study explored fan reactions to high school athletes’ commitments to play football for National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I programs. A thematic analysis of tweets made by fans during the 2020 recruiting period was examined in two stages: (a) tweets directed toward recruits before they committed to a program and (b) tweets directed toward recruits after they committed. Findings show fan frivolity in regard to identification, as well as a desire to become part of the recruiting process of high school football players. In addition, results yield the possibility of a shift in athlete motivations for social media use, fan association with athletics programs, and how fans cope with unexpected loss. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.

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Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Ice Hockey: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-611-20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 56 (7) ◽

pp. 703-710

Author(s):

Adrian J. Boltz ◽

Aliza K. Nedimyer ◽

Avinash Chandran ◽

Hannah J. Robison ◽

Christy L. Collins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Injury Surveillance ◽

Ice Hockey ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Rate Ratios ◽

Temporal Qualities

Context The National Collegiate Athletic Association has supported men's ice hockey, a distinct sport that mandates high-velocity gamesmanship, since 1974. Background Injury surveillance systems are designed to identify evolving injury trends and their temporal qualities. Continual monitoring of collegiate men's ice hockey athletes remains essential. Methods Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program from 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios (IRR) were used to examine differential injury rates. Results The overall injury rate was 7.65 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Injuries from competition occurred at a rate nearly 7 times that from practice injuries (IRR = 6.54, 95% CI = 6.08, 7.04). The most common specific injury diagnoses were concussions (9.6%), acromioclavicular sprains (7.3%), and medial collateral ligament tears (3.7%). Summary Injury rates by event type and season segment were higher than previously reported. Contusions accounted for nearly a quarter of all injuries, and acromioclavicular sprain rates increased notably across the study period.

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Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Track and Field: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-513-20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 56 (7) ◽

pp. 788-794

Author(s):

Adrian J. Boltz ◽

Patricia R. Roby ◽

Hannah J. Robison ◽

Sarah N. Morris ◽

Christy L. Collins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Lower Leg ◽

Track And Field ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Injury Incidence ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Leg Injuries ◽

Rate Ratios

Context College athletes have been competing in championship track and field events since 1921; the numbers of competing teams and participating athletes have expanded considerably. Background Monitoring injuries of men's track and field athletes using surveillance systems is critical in identifying emerging injury-related patterns. Methods Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 academic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics; injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates. Results Overall, men's track and field athletes were injured at a rate of 2.37 per 1000 athlete-exposures; injuries occurred at a higher rate during competition compared with practice. Most injuries were to the thigh (26.2%), lower leg (17.3%), or knee (10.7%) and were caused by noncontact (37.2%) or overuse (31.5%) mechanisms. The most reported injury was hamstring tear (14.9%). Summary The etiologies of thigh and lower-leg injuries warrant further attention in this population. Future researchers should also separately examine injury incidence during indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.

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The Epidemiology of Overuse Conditions in Youth Football and High School Football Players

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-52.10.04 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (10) ◽

pp. 976-981

Author(s):

Kevin Morris ◽

Janet E. Simon ◽

Dustin R. Grooms ◽

Chad Starkey ◽

Thomas P. Dompier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Epidemiologic Study ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Football Players ◽

Primary Concern ◽

High School Football ◽

Sport Training ◽

School Sports ◽

Youth Football ◽

Rate Ratios

Context: High-intensity sport training at the youth level has led to increased concern for overuse conditions. Few researchers have examined overuse conditions in youth sports.Objective: To examine the rates, risks, and distributions of overuse conditions between youth and high school football players.Design: Descriptive epidemiologic study.Setting: Youth and high school football teams.Patients or Other Participants: The Youth Football Safety Study (YFSS) investigated youth football athletes from age 5 to 14 years. The National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network (NATION) focused on high school football athletes 14 to 18 years old. The YFSS data consisted of 210 team-seasons, and the NATION data consisted of 138 team-seasons.Main Outcome Measure(s): Athletic trainers collected football injury and exposure data during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Injury rates, risks, and distributions were calculated, with injury rate ratios, risk ratios, and injury proportion ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing youth and high school football players.Results: The YFSS reported 1488 injuries, of which 53 (3.6%) were overuse conditions. The NATION reported 12 013 injuries, of which 339 (2.8%) were overuse conditions. The overuse condition rate did not differ between high school and youth football (3.93 versus 3.72/10 000 athlete-exposures; injury rate ratio = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.79, 1.41). However, the 1-season risk of overuse condition was higher in high school than in youth football players (2.66% versus 1.05%; risk ratio = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.84, 3.47). Compared with high school football players, youth football players had greater proportions of overuse conditions that were nontime loss (ie, <24 hours participation-restriction time; 83.0% versus 67.0%; injury proportion ratio = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.43) and affecting the lower extremity (92.5% versus 62.5%; injury proportion ratio = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.32, 1.65).Conclusions: Overuse conditions may not present a primary concern in youth and high school football players. However, differences existed between the 2 levels of competition. Although additional research on the incidence of overuse conditions across all youth and high school sports is needed, these findings may highlight the need for programming that is specific to competition level.

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The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Boys' Baseball (2005–2006 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Baseball (2004–2005 Through 2013–2014)

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-239-17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 198-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Erin B. Wasserman ◽

Eric L. Sauers ◽

Johna K. Register-Mihalik ◽

Lauren A. Pierpoint ◽

Dustin W. Currie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Sports Injury ◽

Injury Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Time Loss ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Web Based

Context The advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program has aided the acquisition of boys' and men's baseball injury data. Objective To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school boys' baseball in the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years and collegiate men's baseball in the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Online injury surveillance from baseball teams in high school boys (annual average = 100) and collegiate men (annual average = 34). Patients or Other Participants Boys' or men's baseball players who participated in practices and competitions during the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years in high school or the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years in college, respectively. Main Outcome Measure(s) Athletic trainers collected time-loss injury and exposure data. Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs) were calculated. Injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) compared injury rates by school size or division, time in season, event type, and competition level. Results The High School Reporting Information Online system documented 1537 time-loss injuries during 1 573 257 AEs; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program documented 2574 time-loss injuries during 804 737 AEs. The injury rate was higher in college than in high school (3.20 versus 0.98/1000 AEs; IRR = 3.27; 95% CI = 3.07, 3.49). The competition injury rate was higher than the practice injury rate in high school (IRR = 2.27; 95% CI = 2.05, 2.51) and college (IRR = 2.32; 95% CI = 2.15, 2.51). Baseball players at the high school and collegiate levels sustained a variety of injuries across the body, with the most common injuries reported to the upper extremity. Many injuries also occurred while fielding or pitching. Conclusions Injury rates were greater in collegiate versus high school baseball and in competition versus practice. These findings highlight the need for injury-prevention interventions focused on reducing the incidence of upper extremity injuries and protecting batters from pitches and fielders from batted balls.

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The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Boys' Wrestling (2005–2006 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Wrestling (2004–2005 Through 2013–2014)

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-154-17 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (12) ◽

pp. 1143-1155 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Emily Kroshus ◽

Alan C. Utter ◽

Lauren A. Pierpoint ◽

Dustin W. Currie ◽

Sarah B. Knowles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Sports Injury ◽

Injury Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Body Parts ◽

Time Loss ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Web Based

Context The advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program has aided the acquisition of wrestling injury data. Objective To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school boys' wrestling in the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years and collegiate men's wrestling in the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Online injury surveillance from wrestling teams of high school boys (annual average = 100) and collegiate men (annual average = 11). Patients or Other Participants Male wrestlers who participated in practices and competitions during the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years in high school or the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years in college. Main Outcome Measure(s) Athletic trainers collected time-loss (≥24 hours) injuries and exposure data during this time period. Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), injury rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals, and injury proportions by body site and diagnosis were calculated. Results The High School Reporting Information Online documented 3376 time-loss injuries during 1 416 314 AEs; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program documented 2387 time-loss injuries during 257 297 AEs. The total injury rate was higher in college than in high school (9.28 versus 2.38/1000 AEs; injury rate ratio = 3.89; 95% confidence interval = 3.69, 4.10). In high school, the most commonly injured body parts for both practices and competitions were the head/face (practices = 19.9%, competitions = 21.4%) and shoulder/clavicle (practices = 14.1%, competitions = 21.0%). In college, the most frequently injured body parts for both practices and competitions were the knee (practices = 16.7%, competitions = 30.4%) and head/face (practices = 12.1%, competitions = 14.6%). Conclusions Injury rates were higher in collegiate than in high school players, and the types of injuries sustained most often differed. Based on these results, continued study of primary and secondary prevention of injury in wrestlers across levels of competition is warranted.

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The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Boys' Basketball (2005–2006 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball (2004–2005 Through 2013–2014)

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-148-17 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (11) ◽

pp. 1025-1036 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Daniel R. Clifton ◽

James A. Onate ◽

Jay Hertel ◽

Lauren A. Pierpoint ◽

Dustin W. Currie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Injury Rate ◽

Sports Injury ◽

Injury Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Time Loss ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Web Based ◽

Men's Basketball

Context The advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program has aided the acquisition of boys' and men's basketball injury data. Objective To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school boys' basketball in the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years and collegiate men's basketball in the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Online injury surveillance from basketball teams of high school boys (annual average = 100) and collegiate men (annual average = 55). Patients or Other Participants Boys' and men's basketball players who participated in practices and competitions during the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years in high school or the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years in college. Main Outcome Measures Athletic trainers collected time-loss (≥24 hours) injury and exposure data. Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs) were calculated. Injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) compared injury rates by school size or division, time in season, event type, and competition level. Results The High School Reporting Information Online system documented 3056 time-loss injuries during 1 977 480 AEs; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program documented 4607 time-loss injuries during 868 631 AEs. The injury rate was higher for college than for high school (5.30 versus 1.55/1000 AE; IRR = 3.43; 95% CI = 3.28, 3.59). The injury rate was higher for competitions than for practices in both high school (IRR = 2.38; 95% CI = 2.22, 2.56) and college (IRR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.90, 2.14). The most common injuries at both levels were ligament sprains, muscle/tendon strains, and concussions; most injuries affected the ankle, knee, and head/face. Injuries were most often caused by contact with another player or noncontact mechanisms. Conclusions Injury rates were greater among collegiate players compared with high school players and were greater during competitions than practices at both levels. Distributions of injuries by body part, diagnoses, and mechanisms of injury were similar, suggesting that athletes at both levels may benefit from similar injury-prevention strategies.

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