National Collegiate Athletic Association Men Research Articles

Gender-specific hip strength disparities correlate with injury patterns in NCAA men's and women's soccer players.

In National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer athletes, men have higher rates of hip and groin strains, whereas women have higher rates of knee ligament injuries. Strength imbalances of the hip and thigh, specifically in agonist-antagonist muscles, are known risk factors for these injuries. To perform hip and thigh strength assessments in NCAA soccer players to evaluate for differences between genders and correlations with gender-specific injury patterns. With a handheld dynamometer, weight-normalized isometric strength of six muscle groups (hip abductors, hip adductors, hip flexors, hip extensors, knee flexors, knee extensors) was calculated in NCAA soccer players. The strength ratio of each agonist-antagonist muscle was also calculated (hip abductors/adductors, hip flexors/extensors, knee extensors/flexors). Thirty-six NCAA soccer players (18 men, 18 women) from a single NCAA Division III institution. Not applicable. Weight-normalized strength of six muscle groups and their agonist-antagonist strength ratios were compared between genders using linear mixed-effects models. Compared with male players, female players had decreased weight-normalized strength for hip abduction (0.170 vs. 0.204, p = .012) and hip extension (0.172 vs. 0.211, p = .021). Otherwise, weight-normalized strength was similar between genders. When comparing agonist-antagonist strength ratios, there was a significant difference between female and male players for hip flexion:extension (1.70 vs. 1.35, p = .008), whereas the hip abduction: adduction ratio did not reach statistical significance (1.45 vs. 1.62, p = .080). NCAA male and female soccer players had different hip strength profiles that fit their injury patterns. Male NCAA soccer players have higher rates of hip and groin strains, and men in the cohort had strength ratios that were deficient in the hip flexors and adductors compared with women. Female NCAA soccer players have higher rates of knee sprains and anterior cruciate ligament tears, and women in the cohort had strength ratios that were deficient in the hip abductors and extensors, which function to stabilize the knee. These strength disparities could be the focus of future gender-specific soccer injury prevention programs.

Fat-Free Mass Index in a Large Sample of National Collegiate Athletic Association Men and Women Athletes From a Variety of Sports.

Magee, MK, Fields, JB, Jagim, AR, and Jones, MT. Fat-free mass index in a large sample of National Collegiate Athletic Association men and women athletes from a variety of sports. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 311-317, 2024-Fat-free mass index (FFMI) can be used to categorize fat-free mass (FFM) relative to height. Normative values have been established in a variety of sports, as has suggested lower and upper thresholds of FFMI. However, FFMI has not been reported in a large sample of athletes, representing both sexes and multiple sport types. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in FFMI and establish normative values across a large sample of collegiate sports. A total of 1,961 athletes (men: n = 596, 10 sports; women: n = 1,365, 8 sports) participated. Height and mass were measured using a stadiometer and calibrated digital scale, respectively. Fat-free mass was assessed with air displacement plethysmography and used to calculate FFMI. Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way analysis of variance evaluated differences in FFMI in women's and men's sports, respectively. When collapsed across sport type and stratified by sex, men had a higher FFMI (21.5 ± 1.9 kg·m -2 vs. 17.9 ± 1.8 kg·m -2 ; p < 0.001). Differences occurred in FFMI across sport. In women, basketball athletes had the highest FFMI (18.9 kg·m -2 ) and highest 99th percentile for FFMI, whereas rowers had the lowest (16.9 kg·m -2 ). In men, throwers had the highest FFMI (25.7 kg·m -2 ) and highest 99th percentile, whereas volleyball athletes had the lowest (19.9 kg·m -2 ). Differences in FFMI may be attributable to dietary habits and physiological demands of respective sports. These results can provide information relative to differences in FFMI values across sports. In addition, sport-specific normative values can be used as benchmarks and targets for training, nutrition, and goal setting.

Team's average acute:chronic workload ratio correlates with injury risk in NCAA men's soccer team.

Research in multiple sports has shown that an individual's acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) correlates with injury. However, tailoring team trainings to each individual's ACWR is technically challenging and has not been found to decrease injury risk. To establish a more feasible method of utilizing the ACWR for injury prevention in soccer. In a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's soccer team, we assessed whether the team's average ACWR, as opposed to that of each individual, correlated with injuries sustained throughout the season. Injury and workload data were retrospectively evaluated for all players (n= 23) of an NCAA men's soccer team during one 18-week season. Workload data for five global positioning system (GPS)-derived workload variables (total distance, high-speed distance, accelerations, player load, and average velocity) were used to calculate the team's average daily acute and chronic workloads (accumulated load for each variable during the past 3 and 28 days, respectively), and uncoupled ACWRs (acute workload divided by chronic workload for each variable). A retrospective cohort design was used to compare the team's workloads and ACWRs on days where ≥1 injury occurred versus days where zero injuries occurred using binary logistic regression models. Trainings/games with injuries had higher acute workloads, lower chronic workloads, and higher ACWRs for all five workload variables. In multivariable analysis, risk factors for injury included a low chronic workload for total distance (odds ratio [OR] 7.23, p= .024) and an ACWR >1.4 for accelerations (OR 4.34, p= .029). The team's injury risk was greater with low distance accumulation during the chronic period and with an elevated ACWR for accelerations. Future intervention-based studies aimed at using ACWR load-management principles as a method of decreasing injury risk in soccer can consider tracking the team's average values with the goal of maintaining a consistent chronic workload for total distance and avoiding elevations in the ACWR for accelerations.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries Sustained in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, 2004–2005 Through 2013–2014 Seasons

Background: Men’s and women’s lacrosse operate with significantly different rules, equipment, and contact. Previous studies have assessed injury rates (IRs) in either men’s or women’s lacrosse, but a few studies have compared injury patterns in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s and women’s lacrosse. Purpose: We sought to examine whether there were differences in injury type, mechanism, setting, and time loss in men and women playing lacrosse in the NCAA. Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study using data collected by the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) during a 10-season period (2004–2005 to 2013–2014). The data were assessed for potential differences in injuries between male and female lacrosse players and analyzed to obtain descriptive statistics through calculations of rates, percentages, and confidence intervals (CIs). Main outcomes measured were IRs per 1000 athletic exposures (AEs) and injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs. Results: The IRs were 5.19 per 1000 AEs in women’s lacrosse and 6.52 per 1000 AEs in men’s lacrosse. Men had more injuries overall than women in competitions and practices and in preseason, regular season, and postseason play. Preseason IRs were higher than the regular season, and competition injuries were greater than practice injuries in both sexes. Women had more injuries to the head/face, knee, lower leg, and foot. Sprains, strains, concussions, and contusions were the most common types of injuries in both sexes. Overuse/gradual onset, cartilage, concussion, inflammation, and tendinosis injuries were more common in women than men. Injuries in men resulted in time loss more often than injuries in women. Conclusions: Our retrospective study’s findings suggest that there were differences in injury patterns between men’s and women’s lacrosse. Future prospective research should assess whether these disparities are due to differences in equipment and rules and whether changes to these factors can reduce injuries.

Mitigation of COVID-19 at the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Tournament

BackgroundData are lacking regarding the risk of viral SARS-CoV-2 transmission during a large indoor sporting event involving fans utilizing a controlled environment. We sought to describe case characteristics, mitigation protocols used, variants detected, and secondary infections detected during the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Basketball Tournament involving collegiate athletes from across the U.S.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used data collected from March 16 to April 3, 2021, as part of a closed environment which required daily reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, social distancing, universal masking, and limited contact between tiers of participants. Nearly 3000 players, staff, and vendors participated in indoor, unmasked activities that involved direct exposure between cases and noninfected individuals. The main outcome of interest was transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus, as measured by the number of new infections and variant(s) detected among positive cases. Secondary infections were identified through contact tracing by public health officials.ResultsOut of 2660 participants, 15 individuals (0.56%) screened positive for SARS-CoV-2. Four cases involved players or officials, and all cases were detected before any individual played in or officiated a game. Secondary transmissions all occurred outside the controlled environment. Among those disqualified from the tournament (4 cases; 26.7%), all individuals tested positive for the Iota variant (B.1.526). All other cases involved the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7). Nearly all teams (N = 58; 85.3%) reported that some individuals had received at least one dose of a vaccine. Overall, 17.9% of participants either had at least one dose of the vaccine or possessed documented infection within 90 days of the tournament.ConclusionIn this retrospective cohort study of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament closed environment, only a few cases were detected, and they were discovered in advance of potential exposure. These findings support the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for large indoor sporting events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epidemiology Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries In National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: 2014/15 - 2018/19

PURPOSE: Approximately half of all anterior cruiciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur in young, athletic populations, including collegiate athletes. Following ACL injury, there is a heightened risk of secondary ACL injury and post-traumatic osteoarthritis, highlighting the detrimental nature of early life knee injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of ACL injury in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes. METHODS: ACL injuries reported by athletic trainers to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during 2014/15 - 2018/19 in 23 NCAA men’s and women’s sports were examined. Injury incidence (characterized as Injury Rate (IR) per 10,000 athlete exposures (AEs)) was examined both pooled and stratified by event type (practices/competitions). The distribution of ACL injuries was examined by injury mechanism (player contact/non-contact/other) using frequencies (%s). Differential injury incidence was examined across event types and sex (for sex-comparable sports) using Injury Rate Ratios (IRR); IRRs with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) excluding 1.00 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 729 ACL injuries were reported, resulting in IRs of 0.80/10,000 AEs and 0.95/10,000 AEs in men’s and women’s sports, respectively. ACL injury rates were most commonly reported in men’s football (N = 267, IR = 1.44) and women’s soccer (N = 118, IR = 2.60). Amongst all sports, competition related ACL rates were higher in men’s (IR = 2.37) and women’s sports (IR = 2.59) than practice related rates (IRs: men’s = 0.43, women’s = 0.48). Practice injury rates remained stable across the study period, while competition rates fluctuated. Injuries were more prevalently attributed to player contact in men’s sports (39.7%) than in women’s sports (22.9%). CONCLUSIONS: In most sex-comparable sports, overall ACL rates were higher in women’s sports compared to men’s sports in NCAA athletes from 2014/15 - 2018/19. Injury rates were greater in competition compared to practice in both men’s and women’s sports. This corroborates previous literature detailing higher ACL injury rates during competition and in females. Future research should evaluate the translation between injury reduction programming during practice to competition-related ACL injury programming.

In National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Soccer Athletes There Is a Low Rate of Lumbar Spine Injury, Women Suffer More Recurrent Injuries than Men, and Most Injuries Occur in the Preseason

PurposeTo use the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP) from the 2009-2010 through the 2014-2015 seasons to report lumbar spine injury rates, characteristics, and time lost from sport in soccer players.MethodsCharacteristics of lumbar spine injuries by season, competition/practice, and time lost from sport were determined using the NCAA-ISP database. Rates of injury were calculated as the number of injuries divided by the number of athlete exposures (AEs). AEs are any athlete participation in a competition or practice. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare rates between event types and time of season. Injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were used to evaluate differences in injury rates between men and women.ResultsThe NCAA-ISP estimated 4,464 LSIs over 5 years. The rate of LSI in men was 2.1/10,000 AEs and 3.0/10,000 AEs in women. Women were 1.43 times more likely to suffer an LSI compared to men. Women were 2.15 times as likely to suffer an LSI in competition compared to in practice while men were 1.10 times as likely. Women were 2.15 times as likely to be injured in the preseason compared to the regular season, while men were 3.76 times as likely. Non-contact injuries were the most common cause of lumbar spine injuries (LSIs) in men (35%); however, contact injuries were more common in women (33%). Most athletes both male (57%) and female (59%) returned to play within 24 hours.ConclusionThis study provides information on the characteristics of LSIs in NCAA soccer. The overall injury rate to the lumbar spine is relatively low. Injury rates are highest in the preseason and in competition. Women suffer from more recurrent LSI’s than men, and men acquired more injuries through non-contact mechanisms. More than one-half of athletes returned to sport within 24 hours.

Descriptive epidemiology of injuries in Japanese collegiate men\u2019s basketball: 2013/2014 to 2019/2020

BackgroundBasketball is one of the most played sports in the world. However, only a few studies have examined the epidemiology of Japanese collegiate men’s basketball injuries. This study investigated the incidence of injury among Japanese collegiate men’s basketball from the 2013/2014 to the 2019/2020 seasons and identified unique patterns by comparing our data with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball data.MethodsData from Japanese collegiate basketball teams of the Kanto Collegiate Basketball Federation Division I League during the 2013/2014 to 2019/2020 academic years (23 team-seasons) were used in this study. Injury rates per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs), injury proportions, and the injury rate ratio (IRR) were calculated according to the events, injury types, body parts, and common injury mechanisms. Injury rates were then compared with that from the time-loss injury data of the NCAA’s previous reports.ResultsIn total, 480 injuries during 97,515 AEs were reported, leading to an injury rate of 4.92 per 1000 AEs (95% CI = 4.48–5.36). The overall injury rate was higher in Japan than in the NCAA ([2009/2010–2014/2015] IRR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.39–1.73; [2014/2015–2018/2019] IRR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.48–1.82). Lower extremity injuries occurred most frequently (73.5%). Ankle sprain was the most common injury in Japan, with higher injury rates than in the NCAA (IRR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.72–2.57). The injury rate of concussion was lower in Japan than in the NCAA (IRR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.14–0.55).ConclusionsThe rates of overall injury and ankle sprain were higher and that of concussion was lower in Japan than in the NCAA. These results suggested the existence of international differences in the pattern or features of injuries in basketball players.

Epidemiology of Spine Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Wrestling Athletes.

Background:Spine injuries are common in collegiate wrestlers and can lead to reinjury, persistent pain, and time lost from participation.Purpose:To describe the epidemiology of spine injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) wrestlers between academic years 2009 to 2010 and 2013 to 2014.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:The incidence and characteristics of spine injuries were identified utilizing the NCAA–Injury Surveillance Program database. Spine injuries were assessed for injury type, injury mechanism, time of season, event type, recurrence, participation restriction, and time lost from participation. Rates of injury were calculated as the number of injuries divided by the total number of athlete-exposures (AEs). Injury rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated for event type and time of season, and results with 95% confidence intervals that did not include 1.0 were considered statistically significant.Results:There were an estimated 2040 spine injuries reported in the database over the 4-year period, resulting in an injury rate of 0.71 per 1000 AEs. Spine injuries were over twice as likely to occur in competitions as in practices (IRR, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-3.69). More injuries occurred in both the preseason (0.94 per 1000 AEs) and the postseason (1.12 per 1000 AEs) compared with the regular season (0.55 per 1000 AEs). Contact injuries (42%) were the most common mechanism of injury, and brachial plexus injury (20%) was the most common diagnosis. Only 1.3% of injuries required surgery, and athletes most commonly returned to sport within 24 hours (33%) or within 6 days (25%).Conclusion:This investigation found an overall injury rate of 0.71 per 1000 AEs in wrestling athletes between academic years 2009 to 2010 and 2013 to 2014. The majority of these injuries were new, and athletes most commonly returned to sport within 24 hours. The injury rate was highest in competition, and both the preseason and the postseason showed a higher injury rate than that in season. Efforts to improve injury prevention and management should be informed by these findings.

Bracketing sustainability: Carbon footprinting March Madness to rethink sustainable tourism approaches and measurements

Amidst a backdrop of a global climate emergency, tourism continues to contribute to Earth's carbon footprint. In recognition of the negative environmental impacts of sport and event tourism, this study quantifies the carbon footprint of the 2019 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball Tournament by considering the travel of fans and teams, food, waste, lodging, and stadium operations. The footprint is approximated at 210 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents. Broken down, this equates to about 500 kg per participant. Travel is responsible for nearly 80 percent of that total which underscores the positive relationship between distance traveled and greenhouse gasses emitted in tourism. This paper presents a valuable linear model by which carbon footprints can be calculated with accessible data. This will, in turn, allow for the democratization of sustainability models for industries and organizations to introspectively quantify their environmental impact as an initial assessment for internal purposes or comparison to outside audits. This study's results demonstrate the need to make mega sport-tourism events like March Madness more sustainable. However, this can only be done by tourism managers closing the environmental value-action gap that too often manifests as inaction. By leveraging quantitative frameworks such as this study's methodology, sport and event managers can more easily use readily available data to evaluate their event's environmental impacts and thus begin to actionably mitigate their negative contributions to global climate change in more targeted ways.

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

The popularity of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's lacrosse has been steadily increasing since the early 1980s. Injury surveillance is an important tool to aid in identifying emerging patterns of sport-related injury in NCAA men's lacrosse. Injury data collected from a sample of men's lacrosse teams through the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program for the academic years 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 were analyzed. Athlete exposures were estimated and computed based on collected exposure data. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate differences in injury rates. The overall injury rate was 4.90 per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs), and the competition injury rate was higher than the practice injury rate (IRR = 2.59; 95% CI = 2.35, 2.84). The overall preseason injury rate was higher than the regular and postseason injury rates. The most reported injuries were concussions (8.0%), ankle sprains (7.7%), and hamstring tears (6.9%). Study findings were comparable with existing epidemiological evidence. The overall burden of concussions and lower extremity injuries warrant further attention in this population.

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

The first men's wrestling National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship was sponsored in 1928; since then, participation has increased. Continued study of wrestling injury data is essential to identify areas for intervention based on emerging trends. Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA 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 (IRRs) were used to examine differential injury rates. The overall injury rate was 8.82 per 1000 athlete exposures. The competition injury rate was significantly higher than practice injury rate (IRR = 4.11; 95% CI = 3.72, 4.55). The most commonly injured body parts were the knee (21.4%), shoulder (13.4%), and head/face (13.3%), and the most prevalently reported specific injury was concussion. These findings provide the most current update to injury incidence and outcomes in NCAA men's wrestling. We identify notable trends that warrant consideration in future research.

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

Basketball has remained a popular sport for players and spectators in the United States since before the first National Collegiate Athletic Association men's championship tournament in 1939. Routine examinations of men's basketball injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns. Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 athletic seasons 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. The overall injury rate was 7.28 per 1000 athlete exposures, with competition rates twice those of practices (injury rate ratio = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.93, 2.22). Injuries to the ankle (22.2%), knee (13.0%), head/face (11.3%), and hand/wrist (10.1%) accounted for most reported injuries, with sprains (30.4%), contusions (14.3%), and strains (13.9%) most commonly reported. Ankle sprain rates initially trended upward and decreased between 2017-2018 and 2018-2019; concussion rates remained relatively stable during 2014-2015 through 2018-2019. Findings suggest that common injury rates are trending downward relative to previous study findings.

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

College athletes have been competing in championship track and field events since 1921; the numbers of competing teams and participating athletes have expanded considerably. Monitoring injuries of men's track and field athletes using surveillance systems is critical in identifying emerging injury-related patterns. 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. 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%). 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.

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

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. Frequently conducting injury surveillance of collegiate baseball athletes is essential for identifying developing temporal patterns. 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. 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%). 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 Men's Soccer: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has sponsored men's soccer programs since 1959, and the popularity of the sport has grown over time. Routine examinations of athlete injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns. 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. 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. 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 Swimming and Diving: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has sponsored men's swimming and diving since 1937. Routine examinations of men's swimming and diving injuries are important for identifying emerging injury-related patterns. 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. 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%). 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.

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

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has supported men's ice hockey, a distinct sport that mandates high-velocity gamesmanship, since 1974. 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. 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. 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%). 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.

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

Football is among the most popular collegiate sports in the United States, and participation in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football has risen in recent years. Continued monitoring of football injuries is important for capturing the evolving burden of injuries in NCAA football. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of football-related injuries among men's NCAA football players during the 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 academic years. Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates. The overall injury rate was 9.31 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Most injuries occurred during general play (17.5%), blocking (15.8%), and tackling (14.0%). Concussions (7.5%), lateral ligament complex tears (6.9%), and hamstring tears (4.7%) were the most commonly reported injuries. Results of this study were generally consistent with previous findings, though changes over time in rates of commonly reported injuries warrant attention. Continued monitoring of injury incidence is needed to appraise the effectiveness of recently implemented rules changes.

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

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has sponsored men's cross-country programs since 1938, and the sport has grown greatly in scope since then. Routine examinations of men's cross-country injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns. 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 were used to examine differential injury rates. The overall injury rate was 4.01 per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs). Most reported injuries were inflammatory conditions (30.2%), strains (18.7%), and sprains (11.5%); rates of inflammatory conditions were highest in preseason. The most commonly reported injuries were lateral ligament complex tears (ankle sprains; 8.2%). Findings of this study were not entirely consistent with existing evidence; continued monitoring of competition injury rates and rates of commonly reported injuries is needed beyond 2018-2019.