Injuries in Youth Football

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare injury rates, body size and maturity between youth football participants in two community youth football programs. METHODS: Participants (n=715, 9–14 years) in two community youth football leagues were followed through two consecutive seasons, mid-August through October. The sample population in town “A” was 426 and 289 in town “B”. Grade in school was the unit of competition. Height (n=301) and weight (n=308) were measured at the beginning of each season; the BMI was calculated (n=298). Current height was expressed as a percentage of predicted mature height (n=281) to provide an estimate of biological maturity status. A certified athletic trainer was on site for all practices and home games to record exposure statistics and injuries as they occurred; injuries occurring in road games were reported by coaches and verified the next day by the trainers. Case rates (number of total injuries/study population), player rates (number of injured players/study population) and exposure rates were calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in height, body mass index and estimated maturity status between participants in the two communities. However, the 6th grade players in community “B” were heavier than the 6th grade players in community “A” (p = .036). There were no significant differences in case rates and player rates between communities for corresponding grades. There was a significant difference of major injuries on the 7th grade teams between the two communities (p = .013). The 7th grade team in community “B” sustained 12 major injuries (7 of which were fractures) while the 7th grade team in community “A” sustained only 1 major injury. CONCLUSIONS: Players in each community were similar in size and estimated maturity status and injury rates were also similar. Besides the weight of the 6th grade players in each community and the severity of injuries with the 7th graders, there were no differences.