Mechanisms of Injury Leading to Concussions in Collegiate Soccer Players: A CARE Consortium Study.

BACKGROUND: Few previous studies have investigated how different injury mechanisms leading to sport-related concussion (SRC) in soccer may affect outcomes. PURPOSE: To describe injury mechanisms and evaluate injury mechanisms as predictors of symptom severity, return to play (RTP) initiation, and unrestricted RTP (URTP) in a cohort of collegiate soccer players. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: The Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium database was used. The mechanism of injury was categorized into head-to-ball, head-to-head, head-to-body, and head-to-ground/equipment. Baseline/acute injury characteristics-including Sports Concussion Assessment Tool-3 total symptom severity (TSS), loss of consciousness (LOC), and altered mental status (AMS); descriptive data; and recovery (RTP and URTP)-were compared. Multivariable regression and Weibull models were used to assess the predictive value of the mechanism of injury on TSS and RTP/URTP, respectively. RESULTS: Among 391 soccer SRCs, 32.7% were attributed to a head-to-ball mechanism, 27.9% to a head-to-body mechanism, 21.7% to a head-to-head mechanism, and 17.6% to a head-to-ground/equipment mechanism. Event type was significantly associated with injury mechanism [χ2(3) = 63; P < .001), such that more head-to-ball concussions occurred in practice sessions (n = 92 [51.1%] vs n = 36 [17.1%]) and more head-to-head (n = 65 [30.8%] vs n = 20 [11.1]) and head-to-body (n = 76 [36%] vs n = 33 [18.3%]) concussions occurred in competition. The primary position was significantly associated with injury mechanism [χ2(3) = 24; P < .004], with goalkeepers having no SRCs from the head-to-head mechanism (n = 0 [0%]) and forward players having the least head-to-body mechanism (n = 15 [19.2%]). LOC was also associated with injury mechanism (P = .034), with LOC being most prevalent in head-to-ground/equipment. Finally, AMS was most prevalent in head-to-ball (n = 54 [34.2%]) and head-to-body (n = 48 [30.4%]) mechanisms [χ2(3) = 9; P = .029]. In our multivariable models, the mechanism was not a predictor of TSS or RTP; however, it was associated with URTP (P = .044), with head-to-equipment/ground injuries resulting in the shortest mean number of days (14 ± 9.1 days) to URTP and the head-to-ball mechanism the longest (18.6 ± 21.6 days). CONCLUSION: The mechanism of injury differed by event type and primary position, and LOC and AMS were different across mechanisms. Even though the mechanism of injury was not a significant predictor of acute symptom burden or time until RTP initiation, those with head-to-equipment/ground injuries spent the shortest time until URTP, and those with head-to-ball injuries had the longest time until URTP.

Comparison of Kinematics for Head Impacts Initiated by Helmets and Shoulder Pads Among High School American Football Athletes.

Helmets and shoulder pads are required equipment intended to protect American football athletes by attenuating collision forces during participation. Surprisingly, research differentiating kinematics from head impacts initiated by helmets from those initiated by shoulder pads among adolescent athletes has not been completed. The current study's purpose was to determine the effects of equipment on head impact kinematics. Sixty-nine male American football athletes from three high schools wore helmets equipped with Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System instrumentation to quantify peak linear (g) and rotational (rad/s2) accelerations. Data were extracted for video-confirmed impacts during two competitions. Separate multivariable linear regressions using ordinary least squares were conducted to determine if equipment type (helmet vs. shoulder pad) was associated with log-transformed linear and rotational accelerations. In total, 1150 video-confirmed impacts involved helmet (N = 960) or shoulder pad (N = 190) initiated contact. Linear (p = 0.809) and rotational (p = 0.351) acceleration were not associated with equipment type. Head impact kinematics were similar between impacts initiated by either helmets or shoulder pads and suggests an opponent's shoulder pads and helmet can deliver comparable forces to the struck player. Equipment manufacturers may need to consider the unintended role shoulder pads may contribute to head injury risk.

Factors Influencing Time to Return to Learn Among NCAA Student-Athletes Enrolled in the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Study.

PURPOSE: The aim was to describe the demographic and post-injury factors that influence time to return to learn (RTL) among student-athletes enrolled in the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium. METHODS: A total of 47,860 student-athletes enrolled in the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense (NCAA-DoD) CARE Consortium study from 2014 to 2020, with 1485 sport-related concussions (SRCs) analyzed in the present dataset. Demographic and post-injury characteristics were calculated using descriptive statistics, followed by Kaplan-Meier estimates to examine median time to return to normal academic performance (i.e., RTL) by sex (male, female), baseline psychiatric conditions (depression, anxiety) and/or learning disorder, NCAA division (I, II, III), SRC history (0, 1, 2, 3+), NCAA sport category (contact, limited contact, non-contact sport), and median difference in baseline/post-injury symptom severity scores (< 21, ≥ 21). Further, a multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression model was used to examine their association with RTL. RESULTS: Overall, time to RTL (mean = 4.96 ± 8.24 days, median = 3.0 [interquartile range = 0.0, 6.0] days) was found to be influenced by several factors resulting in earlier trajectories. Notably, nearly 25% of the sample demonstrated immediate RTL (i.e., 0 days). Among student-athletes who did not immediately RTL, males demonstrated a decreased rate in RTL (rate = 0.79; 95% CI 0.66-0.96) compared to females. Further, student-athletes with a ≥ 21 change in symptom severity score (post-injury baseline) demonstrated a higher rate of RTL (rate = 1.47; 95% CI 1.21-1.79) compared to student-athletes with a symptom severity change score < 21. Lastly, male student-athletes demonstrated two times higher odds (odds ratio = 1.95; 95% CI 1.02-3.73) of immediate RTL compared to female student-athletes. No other covariates were associated with time to RTL. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the present findings suggest a rapid return to the classroom following concussion. Specifically, males demonstrated higher odds of time to RTL, whereas those with greater differences in symptom severity resulted in a higher rate of time to RTL among those who did not immediately RTL. Ultimately, these findings support prior work emphasizing an individualized approach to SRC management.

Epidemiology of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: 2014/2015-2018/2019.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of ACL tears in NCAA men's and women's sports. METHODS: Injury and exposure data collected within the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program from 2014/2015 to 2018/2019 were analyzed. ACL tear frequencies, injury rates (IR), and injury proportions were used to describe injury incidence by sport, event type, injury mechanism, and injury history. Injury rate ratios (IRR) were used to examine differential injury rates, and injury proportion ratios (IPR) were used to examine differential distributions. RESULTS: A total of 729 ACL tears were reported from 8,474,401 recorded athlete exposures (AE) during the study period (IR = 0.86 per 10,000 AE), and the competition-related ACL tear rate was higher than the practice-related rate (IRR = 5.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.75-6.39). Among men's sports, the highest overall ACL tear rate was observed in men's football (IR = 1.44 per 10,000 AE), whereas among women's sports, the highest overall rate was observed in women's soccer (IR = 2.60 per 10,000 AE). Among sex-comparable sports, ACL tear rates were higher in women's basketball, softball, and soccer, as compared with their men's counterparts. ACL tears were more prevalently attributed to player contact mechanisms in men's sports than women's sports (IPR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.37-2.19), but more prevalently attributed to noncontact mechanisms in women's sports than men's sports (IPR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.01-1.35). CONCLUSIONS: ACL tear risk in women's sports continues to warrant attention and prevention efforts. Given the differential rates by event type, future research efforts may also evaluate initiatives to reduce competition-related injury burden in NCAA sports.

Concussion Symptomology By Symptom Resolution Time in US High School Athletes: Findings From The National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network (NATION) High School Surveillance Program.

CONTEXT: Concussions incurred during high school athletics are a significant health concern, and studies examining concussions with symptom resolution time (SRT) of 15-28 days have been limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare concussions that had a SRT of 15-28 days with concussions that had a SRT of >28 days among US High School athletes. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. SETTING: Secondary school athletic training clinics. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Secondary school athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Concussion frequency, symptom number, and symptom prevalence. RESULTS: Among all 917 reported concussions (of which 50.8% had missing SRT), 88 had SRT recorded as 15-28 days and 29 had SRT recorded as >28 days. Greater frequencies of concussions with SRT >15 days were reported among boys' sports (n= 78) than girls' sports (n= 39). Boys' football (51.7%) and girls' basketball (11.5%) accounted for the largest proportions of all reported concussions with SRT of 15-28 days; boys' football (58.6%) accounted for the greatest proportion of concussions reported with SRT >28 days. The average number of symptoms in concussions with SRT of 15-28 days was 6.3±3.4 and 7.2±3.8 in those with SRT >28 days. The most frequently reported symptoms in concussions with both SRT of 15-28 days and >28 days were headache, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and difficulty concentrating. The prevalence of irritability was higher in concussions with SRT of 15-28 days as compared to concussions with SRT >28 days (26.1% vs. 13.8%); visual problems (48.3% vs. 35.2%) and hyperexcitability (24.1% vs. 15.9%) were more prevalent in concussion with SRT >28 days, although differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom prevalence and total count were comparable between concussions with SRT of 15-28 days and >28 days with no statistically significant difference, suggesting symptom burden within these groups are more similar than they are different.

Optimizing baseline and post-concussion assessments through identification, confirmation, and equivalence of latent factor structures: findings from the NCAA-DoD CARE Consortium.

Objective: Concussion evaluations use a multidimensional assessment to evaluate unique patient function dimensions (e.g., subjective symptoms differ from balance assessments), but the overarching latent factor structure has not been empirically substantiated. Our objective was to determine the cumulative latent factor structure of pre-injury baseline and acute (<48-h) post-concussion assessment battery outcomes, and determine measurement equivalence among common factors in collegiate student-athletes. Methods: Collegiate student-athletes at baseline (n = 21,865) and post-concussion (n = 1,537) across 25-institutions completed standardized assessments. Individual items were used from the baseline and post-concussion assessments and consisted of: Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, Balance Error Scoring System, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test, and vestibular-ocular motor screening. Exploratory factor analysis was used on half the baseline data, and confirmatory factor analysis on the remaining baseline data and post-concussion data separately. Measurement equivalence was assessed between sex, sport contact classification, concussion history, and time. Results: A 10-factor exploratory model was established and comprised of: depression, somatic, vestibulo-ocular, headache, postural stability, neurocognition, emotional, fatigue, cognitive, consciousness clouding. The 10-factor model was confirmed at baseline and post-concussion with strong measurement equivalence between timepoints. Strong to strict measurement equivalence was observed for sex, sport contact classification, and concussion history at both timepoints separately. Conclusion: Our findings established a robust 10-factor latent factor model equivalent across timepoints and common factors among healthy and concussed collegiate athletes. Clinicians can use these findings to target specific factors while reducing redundant elements to provide efficient, comprehensive post-concussion assessments.

Initial Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Characteristics and Recovery Patterns Among Females Across the United States Military Service Academies: A Report from the NCAA-DoD CARE Consortium.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been described in the United States (US) military service academy cadet population, but female-specific characteristics and recovery outcomes are poorly characterized despite sex being a confounder. Our objective was to describe female cadets' initial characteristics, assessment performance, and return-to-activity outcomes post-mTBI. Female cadets (n = 472) from the four US military service academies who experienced a mTBI completed standardized mTBI assessments from pre-injury to acute initial injury and unrestricted return-to-duty (uRTD). Initial injury presentation characteristics (e.g., delayed symptoms, retrograde amnesia) and return-to-activity outcomes [i.e., return-to-learn, initiate return-to-duty protocol (iRTD), uRTD] were documented. Descriptive statistics summarized female cadets' injury characteristics, return-to-activity outcomes, and post-mTBI assessment performance change categorization (worsened, unchanged, improved) relative to pre-injury baseline using established change score confidence rank criteria for each assessment score. The median (interquartile range) days to return-to-learn (n = 157) was 7.0 (3.0-14.0), to iRTD (n = 412) was 14.7 (8.6-25.8), and to uRTD (n = 431) was 26.0 (17.7-41.8). The majority experienced worse SCAT total symptom severity (77.8%) and ImPACT reaction time (97.0%) acutely < 24-h versus baseline, but unchanged BESS total errors (75.2%), SAC total score (72%), BSI-18 total score (69.6%), and ImPACT verbal memory (62.3%), visual memory (58.4%), and visual motor speed (52.5%). We observed similar return-to-activity times in the present female cadet cohort relative to the existing female-specific literature. Confidence ranks categorizing post-mTBI performance were heterogenous and indicate multimodal assessments are necessary. Our findings provide clinically relevant insights to female cadets experiencing mTBI across the US service academies for stakeholders providing healthcare.

Intersection of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Concussion Recovery among NCAA Student-Athletes: A CARE Consortium Study.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study are to 1) describe collegiate student-athlete (SA) race and household income and 2) evaluate time to normal academic performance (i.e., return to learn (RTL)), initiation of the return to play (iRTP) protocol, RTP protocol duration, and time to unrestricted RTP (URTP) after sustaining sport-related concussion (SRC). METHODS: Data were collected between 2014 and 2020 by the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education Consortium. Baseline data were used to characterize participant demographics ( N = 22,819) and post-SRC outcomes ( n = 5485 SRC) in time to RTL ( n = 1724) and RTP outcomes ( n = 2646) by race. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests examined differences across race by demographic and injury characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves estimated median days to RTL, iRTP protocol, RTP protocol completion, and URTP by race and covariate measures. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the effect of race on risk of RTL and RTP recovery time points. RESULTS: SA largely identified as White (75%) followed by Black (14%), multiracial (7%), and Asian (3%). More than half (53%) of all SA reported a household income of >$120,000, whereas 41% of Black SA reported a household income <$60,000. Race was not associated with relative risk of RTL or iRTP but was associated with RTP protocol completion and URTP. Non-Black/non-White SA were 17% less likely (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.83; 95% confidence interval = 0.71, 0.97) to complete the RTP protocol, and Black SA were 17% more likely (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.17; 95% confidence interval = 1.05, 1.31) to reach the URTP time point compared with White SA. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest collegiate SA enrolled in the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education Consortium are primarily White and come from household incomes well above the US median. Race was not associated with RTL or iRTP but was associated with RTP protocol duration and total time to URTP. Clinicians should be conscientious of how their implicit or preconceived biases may influence SRC management among National Collegiate Athletic Association SA.

Epidemiology of Lateral Ligament Complex Tears of the Ankle in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Sports: 2014-15 Through 2018-19.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies of lateral ankle sprains in NCAA sports are important in appraising the burden of this injury and informing prevention efforts. PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology of lateral ankle sprains in NCAA sports during the 2014-15 through 2018-19 seasons. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Injury and exposure information collected within the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) were examined. Counts, rates, and proportions of lateral ankle sprains were used to describe injury incidence by sport, event type (practices, competitions), season segment (preseason, regular season, postseason), injury mechanism (player contact, noncontact, and surface contact, injury history (new, recurrent), and time loss (time loss [≥1 day], non-time loss). Injury rate ratios (IRRs) were used to examine differential injury rates, and injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were used to examine differential distributions. RESULTS: A total of 3910 lateral ankle sprains were reported (4.61 per 10,000 athlete exposures) during the study period, and the overall rate was highest in men's basketball (11.82 per 10,000 athlete exposures). The competition-related injury rate was higher than the practice-related rate (IRR, 3.24; 95% CI, 3.04-3.45), and across season segments, the overall rate was highest in preseason (4.99 per 10,000 athlete exposures). Lateral ankle sprains were most often attributed to player-contact mechanisms in men's (43.2%) and women's sports (35.1%), although injuries were more prevalently attributed to player contact in men's than in women's sports (IPR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.13-1.34). Overall, 49.7% of all lateral ankle sprains were time loss injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study are consistent with previous epidemiological investigations of lateral ankle sprains among NCAA athletes. Results offer additional context on differential injury mechanisms between men's and women's sports and on injury risk across the competitive season. Future research may examine the effectiveness of deploying injury prevention programs before the start of a season.

Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries After Concussion in Collegiate Student-Athletes.

BACKGROUND: An association has been identified between concussion and lower extremity musculoskeletal injury (LEMSKI) after return to sports participation. However, the collegiate student-athlete studies have relied on relatively small single-institution studies, which limits generalizability. PURPOSE: To assess odds of, and time to, LEMSKI after concussion in US collegiate athletes, using the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program (ISP). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Data from the NCAA ISP during the 2010-2011 through 2019-2020 athletic seasons were considered for analysis. Frequency distributions were examined for details related to the initial and subsequent injuries (injuries to bone, bursa, joint, ligament, muscle, or tendon). Multivariable logistic regression models and random-effects Poisson regression models examined odds of time loss (TL) and non-time loss (NTL) LEMSKI after concussion, as well as the time interval between initial concussion and subsequent LEMSKI in a single athletic season, or initial musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) and subsequent LEMSKI in a single athletic season. Analyses were performed separately for football and other sports. RESULTS: A total of 31,556 initial injuries were recorded (football: 11,900; other sports: 19,656), which were followed by 0 or 1 injury in the same season. Overall, first injury type was not a significant predictor of subsequent LEMSKI, although certain contrasts yielded significant estimates. In football, the odds of NTL LEMSKI were higher after concussion than after upper extremity MSKI (UEMSKI; adjusted odds ratio [ORAdj], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.06-2.31). In football, the odds of TL LEMSKI were lower after concussion than after UEMSKI (ORAdj, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51-0.99). No other significant effect estimates were observed for football or other sports. CONCLUSION: First injury type, either concussion or upper extremity, was not associated with an elevated risk of LEMSKI. Specifically, the results of this study did not identify an elevated odds of LEMSKI after a concussion. However, the authors observed greater odds of NTL LEMSKI and lower odds of TL LEMSKI in football.

Patterns and predictors of concussion symptom presentations in NCAA athletes.

Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a complex injury, and SRCs are notably prevalent among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes. We analysed SRCs and associated exposure data collected within the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during 2014-2019. A total of 1,709 SRCs were reported with complete symptom profiles during the study period (Women's sports n = 499; Men's sports n = 1,210). Event type and academic class year most commonly predicted specific symptom presentations among athletes in men's sports, while symptom presentation among athletes in women's sports was most commonly predicted by class year and sport classification. We observed 78 and 69 significant pairwise symptom dependencies in men's and women's sports athletes, respectively; odds of longer symptom resolution time were higher with greater counts of symptoms with strongest cross-domain associations. Our findings highlight several contextual predictors of specific symptom presentations and identify parsimonious symptom subsets that may indicate protracted recovery among men's and women's sports athletes.

Non-Time-Loss and Time-Loss Injuries in Secondary School Girls' Volleyball Athletes: A Report From the National Athletic Treatment, Injury, and Outcomes Network Surveillance Program.

CONTEXT: Volleyball is a popular sport with a risk of injury to the entire body. Insight into non-time-loss (NTL) and time-loss (TL) injuries is needed to inform seasonal injury trends that may lead to appropriate prevention and management strategies. This study provides a descriptive analysis of volleyball injuries among secondary school athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Data were collected from 72 secondary schools, representing 135 team seasons of data from the National Athletic Treatment, Injury, and Outcomes Network Surveillance Program (2014-2015 to 2018-2019 academic years). Injury counts, injury rates (IR) per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs), and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 529 injuries over 193,858 AEs for girls' volleyball were captured, producing an IR of 2.73/1000AEs (95% CI = 2.50-2.96). The overall IR was highest during the preseason compared with regular season (IRR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.09-1.59). Overall IRs were higher in competition (IR: 3.56, 95% CI = 3.07-4.05) compared with practice (IR: 2.38, 95% CI = 2.12-2.64; IRR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.25-1.79). Common body locations injured were ankle (n = 141, 26.7%; NTL: n = 56, 21.7%; TL: n = 85, 31.7%), knee (n = 61, 11.5%; NTL: n = 33, 12.8%, TL: n = 28, 10.5%), hand/wrist (n = 59, 11.2%; NTL: n = 32, 12.4%, TL: n = 27, 10.1%), and head/face (n = 62, 11.7%; NTL: n = 14, 5.4%; TL: n = 47, 17.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Volleyball IRs were highest in preseason and during competition. Most injuries affected the lower-extremity which is notable considering the high upper-extremity load in volleyball. Consideration of strategies to reduce injuries prior to the start of the formal sports season may be needed to help reduce the incidence of preseason injuries.

Epidemiology of Concussions in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Sports: 2014/15-2018/19.

BACKGROUND: Updated epidemiology studies examining sports-related concussions (SRCs) are critical in evaluating recent efforts aimed at reducing the incidence of SRCs in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports. PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology of SRCs in 23 NCAA sports during the 2014/15-2018/19 academic years. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: SRC and exposure data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics by sport, event type (practices, competitions), injury mechanism (player contact, surface contact, equipment/apparatus contact), and injury history (new, recurrent). Injury rate ratios (IRRs) were used to examine differential injury rates, and injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were used to examine differential distributions. RESULTS: A total of 3497 SRCs from 8,474,400 athlete-exposures (AEs) were reported during the study period (4.13 per 10,000 AEs); the competition-related SRC rate was higher than was the practice-related SRC rate (IRR, 4.12; 95% CI, 3.86-4.41). The highest SRC rates were observed in men's ice hockey (7.35 per 10,000 AEs) and women's soccer (7.15 per 10,000 AEs); rates in women's soccer and volleyball increased during 2015/16-2018/19. Player contact was the most prevalently reported mechanism in men's sports (77.0%), whereas equipment/apparatus contact was the most prevalently reported mechanism in women's sports (39.2%). Sex-related differences were observed in soccer, basketball, softball/baseball, and swimming and diving. Most SRCs reported in men's sports (84.3%) and women's sports (81.1%) were reported as new injuries. CONCLUSION: Given the increasing SRC rates observed in women's soccer and volleyball during the latter years of the study, these results indicate the need to direct further attention toward trajectories of SRC incidence in these sports. The prevalence of equipment/apparatus contact SRCs in women's sports also suggests that SRC mechanisms in women's sports warrant further investigation. As most SRCs during the study period were reported as new injuries, the prevalence of recurrent SRCs in men's and women's ice hockey is also noteworthy.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

CONTEXT: The National Collegiate Athletic Association held the first women's soccer championship in 1982; sponsorship and participation have greatly increased since. BACKGROUND: Routine examinations of athlete injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns. METHODS: Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 seasons were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates. RESULTS: The overall injury rate was 8.33 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Lateral ligament complex tears (ankle sprains) (8.6%), concussions (8.3%), and quadriceps tears (5.0%) were the most commonly reported injuries. Rates of lateral ligament complex tears followed an increasing trajectory during the study period, whereas quadriceps tear rates fluctuated during the early years, and concussion rates decreased then increased. SUMMARY: The findings of this study were mostly consistent with existing evidence; notable temporal patterns were observed with regard to lateral ligament complex tears and concussions.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Soccer: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

CONTEXT: The National Collegiate Athletic Association has sponsored men's soccer programs since 1959, and the popularity of the sport has grown over time. BACKGROUND: Routine examinations of athlete injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns. 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 were used to examine differential injury rates. RESULTS: The overall injury rate was 8.51 per 1000 athlete exposures. Lateral ligament complex tears (ankle sprains) (9.2%), hamstring tears (7.0%), and concussions (5.2%) were the most commonly reported injuries. Rates of lateral ligament complex tears remained stable from 2014-2015 through 2018-2019, whereas hamstring tear rates decreased and concussion rates increased. SUMMARY: The findings of this study were in line with the existing epidemiological evidence, although notable temporal patterns were observed. Incidence trajectories of commonly observed injuries warrant particular attention in the future.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Baseball: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

CONTEXT: The National Collegiate Athletic Association has supported men's baseball championships since 1947. Since its inception, the number of participating teams and athletes has considerably expanded. BACKGROUND: Frequently conducting injury surveillance of collegiate baseball athletes is essential for identifying developing temporal patterns. METHODS: Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics; injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates. RESULTS: The overall injury rate was 3.16 per 1000 athlete-exposures. The preseason injury rate was significantly higher than the regular season injury rate. The most commonly injured body parts were shoulder (16.1%), arm or elbow (16%), and hand or wrist (13.9%). The most reported specific injury was hamstring tear (7.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study aligned with previous studies-most injuries were due to noncontact and overuse mechanisms, less than one-half of injuries were related to upper extremity body parts, and one-third of all injuries were reported among pitchers.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Volleyball: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

CONTEXT: Women's volleyball is a globally popular sport with widespread participation at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level. BACKGROUND: Routine examinations of NCAA women's volleyball injuries are important for recognizing emerging injury-related patterns in this population. METHODS: Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 athletic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differences in injury rates. RESULTS: The overall injury rate was 6.73 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Knee (14.6%) and ankle (13.8%) injuries accounted for the largest proportion of all reported injuries, and most injuries were attributed to overuse (26.1%) or noncontact (22.7%) mechanisms. Lateral ankle ligament complex tears (11.1%) and concussions (7.3%) were the most commonly reported specific injury. SUMMARY: Results indicate an increasing burden of practice-related injuries and the need to further examine overuse injuries. Lower-extremity injury prevention strategies and mechanisms of concussion also warrant further attention.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Lacrosse: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

CONTEXT: Lacrosse is an increasingly popular sport; the number of teams participating in collegiate women's lacrosse has increased by 21.4% in the past 5 years. BACKGROUND: The growth of National Collegiate Athletic Association women's lacrosse, coupled with the ongoing discussions surrounding protective equipment, necessitates further epidemiologic studies in this population. METHODS: Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios with 95% CIs were used to examine differential injury rates. RESULTS: The overall injury rate was 4.99 per 1000 athlete exposures. Less than 30% of injuries were time-loss injuries; injuries were most commonly attributed to noncontact (26.6%) and overuse (25.2%) mechanisms. The most commonly reported specific injuries were lateral ligament complex tears (ankle sprains; 9.1%), concussions (7.2%), and hamstring tears (3.8%). SUMMARY: Findings from this study were consistent with the existing epidemiologic evidence in previous studies. Injury incidence in practices, in preseason, and as a result of player contact warrant further attention in this population.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Basketball: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

CONTEXT: Frequent inspection of sports-related injury epidemiology among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women's basketball student-athletes is valuable for identifying injury-related patterns. BACKGROUND: Emerging patterns in epidemiology of NCAA women's basketball injuries are unknown though general sports medicine practices, and playing rules and regulations have evolved in recent years. METHODS: Athlete exposures (AEs) and injury incidence data were reported to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to examine injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios (IRRs) were used to assess injury rate differences. RESULTS: Practice and competition injury rates were 5.93 and 10.35 per 1000 AEs, respectively. Preseason injury rates were higher than regular (IRR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.31, 1.53) and postseason (IRR = 3.12; 95% CI = 2.39, 4.07). Ankle sprains (14.3%), concussions (7.5%), and anterior cruciate ligament tears (2.5%) were the most commonly reported injuries. SUMMARY: Higher rates of practice and competition injuries, as well as ankle sprains, were observed relative to previous reports; continuous monitoring is necessary to identify potential contributing factors to these trends.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Swimming and Diving: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

CONTEXT: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has sponsored men's swimming and diving since 1937. BACKGROUND: Routine examinations of men's swimming and diving injuries are important for identifying emerging injury-related patterns. METHODS: Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA 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, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differences in injury rates. RESULTS: The overall injury rate was 1.56 per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs) for swimmers and 1.52 per 1000 AEs for divers. Shoulder (27.0%) injuries accounted for the largest proportion of all swimming injuries, and most injuries were attributed to overuse mechanisms (42.6%). Shoulder (23.3%) and trunk (23.3%) injuries accounted for the largest proportion of all diving injuries, and most injuries resulted from surface contact (32.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings were consistent with existing literature on swimming and diving. The need for continued surveillance, coupled with more robust participation by swimming and diving programs was also highlighted.