Preseason Injury Research Articles

Week-to-week changes in training were not prospectively associated with injuries among Wisconsin high school cross-country runners

BackgroundTraining characteristics, such as volume and duration, have been studied in relation to running-related injury (RRI) risk, with mixed findings in adult runners. There is a lack of research assessing...

Epidemiology of Injuries Among National Basketball Association Players: 2013-2014 Through 2018-2019.

Understanding the epidemiology of injuries to athletes is essential to informing injury prevention efforts. The incidence and impact of basketball-related injuries among National Basketball Association (NBA) players from 2013-2014 through 2018-2019 is relatively stable over time. Descriptive epidemiology study. Level 3. Injuries from 2013-2014 through 2018-2019 were analyzed using the NBA Injury and Illness Database from an electronic medical record system. Descriptive statistics were calculated for injuries by season, game-loss, and onset. Incidence rates were estimated using Poisson models and linear trend tests. Between 552 and 606 players participated in ≥1 game per season during the study. Annual injury incidence ranged from 1550 to 1892, with 33.6% to 38.5% resulting in a missed NBA game. Game-loss injury rates ranged from 5.6 to 7.0 injuries per 10,000 player-minutes from 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 (P = 0.19); the rate was lower in 2013-2014 (5.0 injuries per 10,000 player-minutes), partly due to increased preseason injury rates and transition of reporting processes. The 6-year game-loss injury rate in preseason and regular season games was 6.9 (95% CI 6.0, 8.0) and 6.2 (95% CI 6.0, 6.5) injuries per 10,000 player-minutes; the rate in playoff games was lower (P < 0.01) at 2.8 (95% CI 2.2, 3.6). Most (73%) game-loss injuries had acute onset; 44.4% to 52.5% of these involved contact with another player. From 2013-2014 through 2018-2019, over one-third of injuries resulted in missed NBA games, with highest rates of game-loss injuries in preseason games and lowest rates in playoff games. Most game-loss injuries had acute onset, and half of those involved contact with another player. These findings - through reliable data reporting by team medical staff in an audited system - can guide evidence-based injury reduction strategies and inform player health priorities.

Retrospective Analysis of Head and Maxillofacial Injuries: FIFA World Cup 2022 Report

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence, causes and consequences of head and maxillofacial injuries in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Methods: This retrospective study, following the STROBE guideline, conducted an online investigation during the 2022 World Cup, with a specific focus on injuries resulting in player substitutions or absences of at least one match. To mitigate potential injury exaggeration, journalistic reports were prioritized over video analysis. The analysis of injuries involved the utilization of descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and the Pearson correlation test, with a significance threshold set at p&lt;0.05. The analytical tools Microsoft Excel and RStudio were employed. Comparative insights were derived from previous FIFA World Cup data; however, injuries lacking sufficient recovery time were classified as preseason injuries, potentially introducing an element of bias to the analysis. Results: During the FIFA World Cup 2022, a comprehensive analysis revealed a total of 123 injuries leading to player substitutions or subsequent game absences, of which seven were localized in the head or maxillofacial region. Statistical analysis indicated a departure from normal data distribution, and a robust correlation was observed between the number of players in national leagues and injury incidence. Noteworthy is the participation of 42 distinct national soccer leagues in contributing players to the tournament's national squads, with no specific league demonstrating a predisposition to higher injury rates. Within the dataset, three maxillofacial injuries were identified. It is of interest that five athletes opted for facemasks as protective measures for the maxillofacial region, and remarkably, only one of them experienced an injury during the World Cup but subsequently resumed play in subsequent matches, while the remaining four athletes had sustained injuries prior to the tournament. Conclusion: The 2022 FIFA World Cup was associated with a low number of head and maxillofacial injuries, with collisions with other players being the most common cause. Despite their limited occurrence, these injuries can have severe implications. In response to the increase in concussions, FIFA implemented an improved safety protocol, which involves immediate game halts for medical assessment and allows player substitutions without affecting the team's allotted substitutions. This change has been well-received by stakeholders. Furthermore, the use of protective equipment, such as custom-made shields, is growing in popularity and has the potential to reduce injury severity and shorten recovery time. Modern technology enables the creation of comfortable and effective protective gear, enhancing player safety. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of injury prevention strategies in sports, calling for continued advancements in protective equipment design and increased transparency in injury reporting.

Hamstring Strain Injury Risk Factors in Australian Football Change over the Course of the Season.

This study aimed to determine which factors were most predictive of hamstring strain injury (HSI) during different stages of the competition in professional Australian Football. Across two competitive seasons, eccentric knee flexor strength and biceps femoris long head architecture of 311 Australian Football players (455 player seasons) were assessed at the start and end of preseason and in the middle of the competitive season. Details of any prospective HSI were collated by medical staff of participating teams. Multiple logistic regression models were built to identify important risk factors for HSI at the different time points across the season. There were 16, 33, and 21 new HSIs reported in preseason, early in-season, and late in-season, respectively, across two competitive seasons. Multivariate logistic regression and recursive feature selection revealed that risk factors were different for preseason, early in-season, and late in-season HSIs. A combination of previous HSI, age, height, and muscle thickness were most associated with preseason injuries (median area under the curve [AUC], 0.83). Pennation angle and fascicle length had the strongest association with early in-season injuries (median AUC, 0.86). None of the input variables were associated with late in-season injuries (median AUC, 0.46). The identification of early in-season HSI and late in-season HSI was not improved by the magnitude of change of data across preseason (median AUC, 0.67). Risk factors associated with prospective HSI were different across the season in Australian Rules Football, with nonmodifiable factors (previous HSI, age, and height) mostly associated with preseason injuries. Early in-season HSI were associated with modifiable factors, notably biceps femoris long head architectural measures. The prediction of in-season HSI was not improved by assessing the magnitude of change in data across preseason.

Higher age and present injury at the start of the season are risk factors for in-season injury in amateur male and female football players—a prospective cohort study

PurposeTo describe the injury prevalence, injury pattern, and potential baseline risk factors for injuries in male and female adolescent and adult amateur football players.MethodsThis prospective study followed adolescent and adult amateur football players over one season March–October 2020. The study was completed by 462 players (130 men, age 20.0 ± 5.7, 14–46 years) who answered a baseline survey and a weekly web survey during the season. A total of 1456 weekly surveys were registered from males and 5041 from females. Injuries were recorded with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC-O2). Potential baseline risk factors (age, performance of strength/conditioning training, participation in other sports, perceived importance of sporting success, self-rated training and match load, perceived balance between training/match load and recovery, previous/present injury at start of season, and injury beliefs) and their association with injury were analysed with Poisson regressions within each sex.ResultsMales reported 95 injuries (262 injury weeks, weekly prevalence 18.0% (95% CI 16.1–20.1)) and females 350 injuries (1206 injury weeks, weekly prevalence 23.9% (95% CI 22.8–25.1)). Gradual-onset injuries accounted for 57% of the injuries in males and 66% in females. For males, substantial injuries were most common in the hip/groin (weekly prevalence 3.8%), ankle (2.1%), posterior thigh (2.0%), and knee (2.0%); and for females, in the knee (4.3%), ankle (2.5%), and lower leg/Achilles tendon (2.0%). Significant risk factors for injury were higher age (rate ratio males 1.05 per year increase (95% CI 1.02–1.08), females 1.03 (95% CI 1.01–1.05)), and present injury at baseline (males 1.92 (95% CI 1.27–2.89), females 1.58 (95% CI 1.19–2.09)).ConclusionAt any given week, almost one in five male and one in four female amateur football players reported new or ongoing injuries. Hip/groin injuries were more frequent in males, while female players had a higher prevalence of knee injuries. Older players and those with an existing injury at the start of the season were more prone to new injury during the season. Rehabilitation of pre-season injury and complaints are key to reduce the injury burden in amateur football.Level of evidenceLevel II.Trial registration number NCT04272047, Clinical trials

Low Pre-Season Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio Identified in Players Who Further Sustained In-Season Hamstring Strain Injuries: A Retrospective Study from a Brazilian Serie A Team

A common pre-season injury prevention assessment conducted by professional football clubs is the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio calculated by peak torque (PT). However, it is debatable whether players that present low pre-season H:Q ratios are more susceptible to further sustaining in-season hamstring strain injuries (HSI). Based upon retrospective data from a Brazilian Serie A football squad, a particular season came to our attention as ten out of seventeen (~59%) professional male football players sustained HSI. Therefore, we examined the pre-season H:Q ratios of these players. H:Q conventional (CR) and functional (FR) ratios, and the respective knee extensor/flexor PT from the limbs of players further sustaining in-season HSI (injured players, IP) were compared to the proportional number of dominant/non-dominant limbs from uninjured players (UP) in the squad. FR and CR were ~18-22% lower (p < 0.01), whereas quadriceps concentric PT was ~25% greater for IP than UP (p = 0.002). Low scores of FR and CR were correlated (p < 0.01) with high levels of quadriceps concentric PT (r = -0.66 to -0.77). In conclusion, players who sustained in-season HSI had lower pre-season FR and CR compared to UP, which appears to be associated with higher levels of quadriceps concentric torque than hamstring concentric or eccentric torque.

Injury Occurrence in Amateur Rugby: Prospective Analysis of Specific Predictors over One Half-Season.

Background and objectives: The incidence of injuries in rugby is extremely high, but studies have rarely examined the predictors of injury in amateur players. This study aimed to systematically analyse sports and injury factors as potential predictors of musculoskeletal injuries in senior-level amateur rugby players. Methods: The participants in this study were 101 senior-level rugby players from Croatia (average of 24.64 years old). At baseline, all participants were tested on sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters (age, body height and mass), consumption of dietary supplements, preseason injury status and training volume, and sport factors (position in game). Data on injury occurrence (dependent variable), prevalence of pain, training status, and characteristics of the played match were surveyed prospectively once a week during the three-month period (one half-season). Results: The logistic regression revealed a higher injury occurrence in forward players of the 1st row, 2nd row (OR = 5.07; 95% CI: 1.64-15.69), and center (OR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.28-14.31), with reference to outside back players. When observed univariately, higher body mass, higher level of competition, more weekly training sessions, self-perceived pain, and playing with pain were significant injury risk factors. The multivariate logistic regression identified pre-season injury (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09-1.52), higher level of the game/match (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13-1.76), higher body mass (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), and pain prevalence (OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 3.22-7.70) as multivariate predictors of injury occurrence over the season. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that among sport factors, the playing position, level of competition, and training exposure represent major injury risk factors. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of injuries, special emphasis should be placed on the specific tackling technique of forward players, which could both increase their situational efficiency and protect them from injuries. Additionally, perceived pain, injury history, and playing with injury were noted among injury factors as the ones that can be predictors of future injuries. In that manner, it is important that coaching and medical staff monitor players with previous injuries and with pain symptoms in order to act preventively against injury occurrence.

The Association between Pre-season Running Loads and Injury during the Subsequent Season in Elite Gaelic Football.

The aim of this study was to determine if the quantity of running load performed in pre-season affects the incidence of injury in elite Gaelic footballers. It was hypothesized that a greater quantity of running loads completed will reduce the incidence rate of injury. A cohort of elite male Gaelic football players (n = 25) was prospectively monitored throughout one full season. This longitudinal study involved the collection of GPS data and injury data. Participants were retrospectively divided into two groups and assigned to a high (HTL, completed >50% of pre-season sessions, n = 13) or low (LTL, completed <50% of pre-season sessions, n = 12) training load group based on the percentage of pre-season sessions completed. Data for total distance, PlayerLoad™, meters covered at running speeds (4.0–4.84 m/s), meters covered at high running speeds (4.85–6.39 m/s), meters covered at sprint speeds (>6.4 m/s) and high-intensity running meters (high-speed running meters and sprint meters combined) were collected during all sessions. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was completed to understand the variation of external training load data across the different phases of the season. A series of repeated measures of ANOVA were subsequently completed to understand the variation of external training load data across seasonal phases within the training groups. Although the LTL group had a higher incidence rate of non-contact injuries (large effect size) per 1000 h of exposure in each phase of the season, statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (F = 4.32, p = 0.173, partial η2 = 0.684, large) between the HTL (14.9 ± 4.17/1000 h) and the LTL (24.5 ± 7.36/1000 h) groups. Additionally, the HTL group was able to sustain greater running loads in the competitive phases of the season compared to the LTL group, total distance (F = 8.10, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.299, large), high-speed running distance (F = 8.74, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.304, large) and high-intensity running distance (F = 7.63, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.276, large). Furthermore, players who complete a greater proportion of running loads in pre-season may alter their body composition levels to more optimal levels, which in turn may reduce the risk of injury while also helping increase or maintain performance-related fitness markers such as aerobic fitness.

Including Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Factors Improves Injury Risk Assessment in Professional Baseball Pitchers.

To (1) evaluate an injury risk model that included modifiable and nonmodifiable factors into an arm injury risk prediction model in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) pitchers and (2) compare model performance separately for predicting the incidence of elbow and shoulder injuries. Prospective cohort. A 10-year MiLB injury risk study was conducted. Pitchers were evaluated during preseason, and pitches and arm injuries were documented prospectively. Nonmodifiable variables included arm injury history, professional experience, arm dominance, year, and humeral torsion. Modifiable variables included BMI, pitch count, total range of motion, and horizontal adduction. We compared modifiable, nonmodifiable, and combined model performance by R2, calibration (best = 1.00), and discrimination (area under the curve [AUC]; higher number is better). Sensitivity analysis included only arm injuries sustained in the first 90 days. In this study, 407 MiLB pitchers (141 arm injuries) were included. Arm injury incidence was 0.27 injuries per 1000 pitches. The arm injury model (calibration 1.05 [0.81-1.30]; AUC: 0.74 [0.69-0.80]) had improved performance compared to only using modifiable predictors (calibration: 0.91 [0.68-1.14]; AUC: 0.67 [0.62-0.73]) and only shoulder range of motion (calibration: 0.52 [0.29, 0.75]; AUC: 0.52 [0.46, 58]). Elbow injury model demonstrated improved performance (calibration: 1.03 [0.76-1.33]; AUC: 0.76 [0.69-0.83]) compared to the shoulder injury model (calibration: 0.46 [0.22-0.69]; AUC: 0.62 [95% CI: 0.55, 0.69]). The sensitivity analysis demonstrated improved model performance compared to the arm injury model. Arm injury risk is influenced by modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. The most accurate way to identify professional pitchers who are at risk for arm injury is to use a model that includes modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(9):630-640. Epub: 9 July 2022. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11072.

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.

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. Descriptive epidemiology study. 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). 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%). 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.

Correlation between preseason body composition and sports injury in an English Premier League professional football team

ObjectivesTo identify the correlation between preseason body composition and incidence coupled with injury burden throughout the season in adult male professional football players.MethodsA retrospective case series was performed for linear...

Association Between Preseason Fitness Level and Risk of Injury or Illness in Male Elite Ice Hockey Players: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background:Little is known about the association between physical fitness and the risk of injury or illness in ice hockey. The least-fit players may be more prone to injury and illness.Purpose:To examine the association between preseason fitness level and injury or illness risk among elite ice hockey players during the regular season.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A total of 133 male ice hockey players in the GET League (the premier professional league in Norway) completed 8 different exercises (40-m sprint, countermovement jump, 3000-m run, squat, bench press, chin-ups, brutal bench, and box jump) at the annual 1-day preseason testing combine. During the 2017-2018 competitive season, the players reported all health problems (acute injuries, overuse injuries, and illnesses) weekly (31 weeks) using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems.Results:Overall, the players reported 191 acute injuries, 82 overuse injuries, and 132 illnesses. The least-fit tercile of players did not report more health problems (mean, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.2-3.8) compared with the most-fit (mean, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.6-4.2) or the medium-fit (mean, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.9-3.5) players. The most-fit players reported more substantial health problems (mean, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6-2.5) compared with the medium-fit (mean, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8 -1.8) and least-fit (mean, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.3) (P = .02) players. There was no association between low physical fitness and number of health problems when comparing the least-fit tercile of the players with the rest of the cohort (P > .05); however, there was an association between low physical fitness and greater severity of all health problems when comparing the least-fit tercile of players to the rest of the cohort after adjusting for time on ice per game, playing position, and age (P = .02).Conclusion:Low physical fitness was not associated with increased rate of injury or illness but was associated with greater severity of all health problems after adjusting for time on ice per game, playing position, and age.

ACL Tears in the National Football League From 2013 to 2020: Analysis of the 2020 Season After Delays and Schedule Changes From the Early COVID-19 Pandemic Relative to Prior Seasons.

Background:The impact of fatigue and preseason preparation on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in the National Football League (NFL) are not well described. The 2020 NFL season did not include the standard preseason in response to changes secondary to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Purpose:To evaluate the association of game play on ACL tears in NFL athletes and to determine if differences in ACL tear epidemiology were present based on season of play from 2013 to 2020.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:ACL tears in NFL athletes were identified using publicly available data. Games played and snap counts at the time of injury were recorded for each athlete sustaining game-related injuries. Tear rates were determined, and injuries were also calculated per 1000 athlete-exposures. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.Results:Overall, 379 ACL tears were identified, including 256 (67.6%) during game play and 118 (31.1%) during practice. Practice-based injuries were significantly higher in the preseason versus the remainder of the season. Games and snaps at the time of injury did not differ by year. The incidence rate of preseason injuries was significantly greater relative to in-season injuries (IRR = 2.68; 95% CI, 2.18-3.29; P < .00001). There was an elevated incidence rate of in-season injuries in 2020 relative to 2014-2019 combined (IRR = 1.49; 95% CI, 0.98-2.19; P = .048). In 2013 to 2019, the most frequent month of injury was the first month of the preseason in August (119/334 tears; 35.6%), whereas in 2020, the most frequent month was September (13/41 tears, 31.7%). The proportion of tears in September 2020 was not different from the proportion of tears in August 2013 to 2019.Conclusion:There was an increased proportion of in-season ACL tears in the 2020 NFL season relative to 2014 to 2019; this is attributable to a frameshift in the consistent trend of injuries in the 1st month to return of competitive play, with 2020 being in the regular season in September as opposed to the preseason in August.

Preseason elimination impact on anterior cruciate ligament injury in the National Football League.

BACKGROUNDAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries represent detrimental injuries in the National Football League (NFL). A significant portion of these injuries often occur in preseason exhibitions. The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic presented a unique disruption to preseason NFL football with the cancelation of all preseason games. AIMTo compare the incidence of ACL tears through the first eight weeks of the NFL season in 2020 to the mean incidence over the previous 5 seasons (2015-2019) and determine if there was any change in incidence with the elimination of the preseason. METHODSNFL players who suffered ACL tears during the preseason and first eight weeks of the NFL season from 2015-2020 were identified. The number of ACL injuries for the 2015-2019 seasons was compared to the 2020 season for four different timeframes. For each analysis, the cumulative number of ACL injuries to that time point was used to calculate the percent difference for descriptive analysis. Additionally, the number of teams with at least one player suffering an ACL tear were identified and compared using Chi-Squared testing. Finally, a cumulative relative risk was calculated for each week played.RESULTSThere were 14 ACL tears through the first four games of the 2020 season, a 118.8% (14 vs 6.4) increase in comparison to the 5-year average over the first 4 regular season weeks of 2015-2019. However, when accounting for injuries occurring during the preseason from 2015-2019, there were 18.6% (14 vs 17.2) fewer total ACL injuries through regular season week 4 with no significant difference in percentage of teams impacted when these preseason injuries were accounted for P = 0.394. Results were similar (19 vs 17.2) over 8 total games played (whether regular season or preseason), and over 8 regular season games (P = 0.196, P = 0.600).CONCLUSIONThe elimination of the NFL preseason resulted in a higher rate of injuries during the first 4 games of the regular season. However, these increases are offset by the injuries typically sustained during the preseason. This suggests there may be front-loading of injuries over the course of an NFL season, such that players may be more prone to injury when the intensity of play suddenly increases, whether in the preseason or regular season.

Preseason functional tests discriminate injury risk in female collegiate volleyball players

ObjectivePreseason functional tests have been previously associated with noncontact time-loss lower extremity injuries in a variety of athletic populations. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of one or more functional tests to discriminate injury risk in a cohort of female collegiate volleyball players in the United States. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingNational Collegiate Athletic Association Division II & III, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics female volleyball players; Participants130 female volleyball players (mean age: 19.31 ± 1.1 years). Main outcome measureLower extremity functional test, single limb hop for distance, standing long jump, previous injury history, lower quarter Y-balance test, and limb symmetry index were measured prior to the season beginning. Noncontact time-loss lower quarter injuries were tracked during the season. ResultsAthletes with suboptimal scores on the single limb hop test (<70% of height) and standing long jump (<80% of height), combined with a previous history of injury, were three times more likely to sustain an injury during the season (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.09 to 8.30). Individual functional tests did not discriminate injury risk. ConclusionsA battery of preseason functional tests and injury history discriminates injury risk in female collegiate volleyball players.

EFFECTIVENESS OF PRE-SEASON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TESTS IN IDENTIFYING IN-SEASON LOWER EXTREMITY INJURIES IN ADOLESCENT GYMNASTS

Background:Artistic competitive gymnastics results in a wide, unique spectrum of injuries. Due to the high number of injuries and the current lack of research related to pre-competitive testing in adolescent gymnasts, it is crucial to find a method to predict the likelihood of an athlete sustaining an in-season injury.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to 1) describe the frequency and type of pre-season and in-season injuries, 2) determine if there were differences in physical performance tests between those who had a lower extremity (LE) injury in-season and those who did not, and 3) determine if there were differences in age, level, sex, BMI, sport modifications, previous injury, and current injury between those who had a LE injury and those who didn’t.Methods:Thirty-seven adolescent gymnasts (average age: 12.81 years) were included with levels ranging from 5 (novice) to 10 (elite). Participants (15 males and 22 females) were surveyed for previous and current injury. The athletes completed a performance battery before the competition season including: Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test (LQYBT), Closed Kinetic Chain dorsiflexion (CKCDF), single hop (SH), triple hop (TH), and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Follow-up data was collected at the end of the competitive season for comparison. The data was analyzed using descriptive methods and comparative analyses including chi-square and independent t-tests with an alpha level set at .05.Results:Sixty-five percent reported an injury in the last year and seventy-eight percent reported pre-season injuries at testing day. The most common location for pre-season injury was the ankle/foot (24% and 31% respectively). There were no differences between injured and non-injured athletes when comparing asymmetries in CKCDF, LQYBT posteromedial or posterolateral reach, hop testing, or FMS. The LQYBT-anterior scores were significantly different at p=.049 between the injured versus uninjured groups, with 91% of the in-season injury group having a difference <4cm. Similarly, the LQYBT-composite score using a cut-off of 95% was significant at p=.043 with those >95% category being more likely to get injured. There were no significant differences in demographic information comparing injury occurrence.Conclusion:The tested physical performance battery may be useful in tracking gymnasts over time, but may not be beneficial in forecasting injuries in a sport with high percentages of acute injuries. The collected injury volume may not be reflective of a standard season as COVID-19 decreased the number of competitions. Additional research to identify athletes at risk for injury requires further investigation.

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

Women's softball athletes account for approximately 9% of all female athletes competing within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Routine surveillance of NCAA women's softball injuries is important for identifying the emerging injury patterns in this sport. Exposure and injury data collected during competitive seasons in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 (5 years) academic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics; injury rate ratios (IRRs) were used to examine differential injury rates. The overall injury rate was 3.92 per 1000 athlete exposures. Practice and preseason injury rates increased during 2015/16 through 2018/19. Most injuries were shoulder (15.2%), hand/wrist (11.8%), knee (11.2%), and head/face injuries (11.2%) and were classified as contusions (14.2%), sprains (14.1%), and inflammatory conditions (14.1%). Concussion (6.8%) was the most commonly reported injury, and concussion incidence fluctuated during 2014-2015 through 2018-2019. Results indicate an increasing trend in practice and preseason injury incidence. Findings also suggest that workload accumulation in the shoulder and the mechanisms of concussion warrant further attention in this population.

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 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 Women's Basketball: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.