Major Activity Restriction Following Musculoskeletal Injury In Collegiate Basketball: Findings From The NCAA-ISP Between 2009/10-2018/19

Abstract

Previous research has examined the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) in basketball (BB) generally, but not in the context of restricted activity. MSKI resulting in major activity restriction (MAR) may negatively influence short- and long-term mental and physical health. PURPOSE: To describe and predict MSKI resulting in MAR sustained by collegiate BB players. METHODS: Men’s and women’s BB exposure and injury data collected via the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program from 2009/10-2018/19 were analyzed. MSKI were characterized as MAR if individuals returned to sport ≥30 days after injury or did not return that season. MSKI distributions were examined by body region, mechanism, diagnosis, and player position using frequencies (%) for men’s and women’s BB individually and pooled. Differential odds of MAR between men’s and women’s BB were examined using multivariable logistic regression models parametrized to adjust for body region, mechanism of injury, and injury diagnosis; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) excluding 1.00 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Overall, 444 MSK injuries resulted in MAR (men = 184, 41%; women = 260, 59%). MSKI with MAR most commonly affected the knee (n = 192, 43%) and foot (n = 67, 15%). Most MSKI with MAR were sprains/strains (n = 244, 55%) and fractures (n = 130, 29%) and resulted from non-contact (n = 153, 34%) or player contact (n = 133, 30%) mechanisms. Most MSKI with MAR occurred among guards (n = 204, 46%) and forwards (n = 138, 31%). Sex, body region, mechanism, and diagnosis were significant predictors of MAR following MSKI (p < 0.01; Table 1). CONCLUSION: Athletic trainers working with BB players should be aware of the potential impacts of personal and injury-specific characteristics that contribute to longer periods of MAR following MSK injury. Future work should prioritize primary prevention of lower extremity injuries caused by contact in women’s BB, in particular.