Head Impacts In Men’s Lacrosse

Abstract

Men’s Lacrosse players are susceptible to Sports Related Concussions (SRC’s) due to magnitude and frequency of head impacts during practices and games. Currently there is a paucity of data quantifying head impacts in men’s lacrosse. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the magnitude and frequency of head impacts in a NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse team over a six-week period (second half) of the regular season. METHODS: Twenty-three men’s lacrosse players wore head impact monitors during five home games and fourteen practices. The head impact sensor was placed in a head band and positioned underneath the nuchal line in the back of the head. Analyses were completed for magnitude, frequency, player position, and location of head impacts comparing games vs. practice. RESULTS: A total of 269 head impacts were recorded, 133 impacts during games and 136 during practice. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in peak linear acceleration between games and practices (37.18 + 15.47g vs. 36.8 + 14.4g), peak rotational acceleration (4.15 + 2.29g vs. 3.96 + 2.07g), and peak rotational velocity (16.44 + 8.89g vs. 16.32 + 8.59g). In games there were 5.78 + 6.90 impacts per player, while in practice there were 5.91 + 3.79 impacts per player, which resulted in no significant difference (p>0.05). For positions, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in peak linear acceleration across all positions. Location of impact resulted in no significant difference (p>0.05) for all six locations measured; crown, base, left, right, front, and back of the head. CONCLUSION: Magnitude and frequency of head impacts in NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse did not differ between practices and games during the second half of the regular season, nor were head impacts position dependent. Further research is required to understand the potential implications of head impacts in men’s lacrosse.