Regular Season Games Research Articles

Less Total-Body Fat and Lower-Extremity Fat Are Associated with More High-Intensity Running during Games in Female University Soccer Players

This study examined the relationship between body composition and on-field, in-game physical performance in female collegiate soccer players. Body composition, including total mass, fat mass, and lean tissue mass for the lower extremities and total body, was measured in 10 starting players using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). On-field, in-game physical performance was tracked via a global positioning system (GPS) over 14 regular-season games, measuring total distance and distance covered in six speed zones. Players covered 4544.7 ± 495.2 m in the first half of the game and significantly less distance in the second half (3356.5 ± 1211.7 m, p = 0.004). A repeated measures ANOVA revealed decreased distances in jogging, low-, and moderate-intensity running during the second half compared to the first half of the game (p < 0.001). Lower total-body fat mass, total-body fat percentage, and lower-extremities fat mass were correlated with greater distances at moderate- and high-intensity running during the second half and entire game (r values from −0.644 to −0.745, p < 0.01 to 0.04). These findings suggest that body composition can influence the distance covered at moderate- and high-intensity running speed during competitive games. Training strategies aimed at reducing fat mass and incorporating high-intensity training may benefit female soccer players and enhance team success.

Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in National Football League Players by Short, Normal, or Long Rest Weeks.

Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in National Football League (NFL) players are devastating injuries that take nearly a year to recover. Players that do return to sport have worse overall performance compared to pre-ACL tear. NFL players typically play regular season games on Sunday with the next game played on the following Sunday, allowing for 7 days between games. Deviation from the usual 7-day rest week has been proposed as a potential risk for ACL tear. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the risk of decreased rest or increased rest on ACL tear rates in NFL players. Methods ACL injury data of NFL players from the 2012-2013 season and 2022-2023 season were gathered from publicly available sources. Player demographic data, position, age at time of injury, seasons played, injury mechanism, and playing surface type were recorded. Injuries were characterized as short, normal, or long week injuries. ACL tears that occurred during the preseason, postseason, or during week 1 were excluded. Descriptive statistics were calculated to report means, ranges, and percentages. Data were analyzed to determine statistically significant differences using Fisher's exact, chi-square, or one-way ANOVA tests. Results A total of 524 ACL tears were recorded in NFL players during the study window. 304 ACL tears were excluded and 220 fit inclusion criteria. 24 ACL tears occurred during short weeks, 68 during long weeks, and 128 during normal weeks. Players were 1.8 times more likely to tear their ACL during a long week compared to a normal week (p<.001), and 1.5 times more likely to tear their ACL during a short week compared to a normal week (p=.02). Conclusion The findings from this study suggest that deviation from the normal 7-day NFL week increases the risk of an ACL tear in NFL players when increasing or decreasing rest time. Further research exploring the impact short and long rest times on player injury risk should be conducted to prevent season ending injuries.

Subsequent musculoskeletal injury after concussion in National Football League players

ObjectiveTo assess whether National Football League (NFL) players diagnosed with a concussion have an increased risk of injury after return to football.MethodsA retrospective cohort study analysed the hazard of subsequent...

Load Management Among Professional Hockey Goalies: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Load management is a sports science concept describing the execution of well-established training principles to measure athletic workloads and enhance performance. The term 'load management' has become common in sports media to refer to a much wider range of scenarios, including the idea that by limiting regular season workload for athletes, their health and playoff performance will improve. Varying links between load and performance have been demonstrated in baseball and soccer. The purpose of this study was to objectively assess the impact of regular season workload on postseason performance among National Hockey League (NHL) goalies. NHL goalies with lighter regular season workloads will perform better in postseason appearances. Retrospective cohort. Level 3. NHL goalies with a minimum of 20 regular season games played and 3 playoff game appearances in the same season since 2013-2014 were eligible for inclusion. All regular season and postseason workload and performance metrics were collected from publicly available statistical databases. Workload outcomes included games started, minutes played, and shots faced. Performance outcomes included goals against average, save percentage, goals saved above average, and quality start percentage. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine whether regular season workload predicted postseason performance, when controlling for age and injury status. A total of 51 goalies contributed 111 goalie-seasons to the analysis. The results of the primary model indicated that regular season workload explained only 6.8% of the variance in postseason performance, and that this relationship was not significant (R2 = 0.068; F(5,92) = 1.335; P = 0.26). Based on data from 6 full seasons, there is no evidence to support a specific regular season game limit among NHL goalies with the aim of improved performance. Individualized workload plans may be more appropriate than a single league-wide standard.

Comparative Analysis of Activity Profiles in Division I Female Field Hockey Athletes: Before and after Game Time Modifications

Collegiate field hockey in the United States underwent a game format change in 2019, moving from two halves to four quarters to align with international play. The purpose of this study is to report physical activity profiles for US Collegiate Division I female field hockey athletes in the game format of four quarters and compare activity pre- and post-rule change. Activity profiles of a US Collegiate Division I female field hockey team were recorded using a Polar Pro Sensor. Fifteen regular season games from 2018 were analyzed from 21 players, and fifteen regular season games from 2019 were analyzed from 20 players. Absolute and relative activity profile data, including total distance, maximum velocity, low-speed and high-speed running, and number of surges for the team and positional difference, were compared across the two seasons. While an increase in the number of substitutions as well as a decrease in match time was noted, overall, the change in format had minimal impact on player performance profiles, including total time played, distance traveled, and maximum velocity. The results suggest the change in format did not alter the physical activity profiles for midfielders or forwards but did change for defenders. Implications for performance that existed before the rule change can be seen as consistent going forward.

Technical fouls as a trigger of momentum change: analysis of two decades of NBA data

ABSTRACT In an analysis of NBA big data (4,196 cases over 21 seasons; 2000–2021), we examined the effect of technical fouls (TFs) on game momentum. Considering leading or trailing positions in home and away games, we studied performance metrics like points, rebounds, assists, and fouls across immediate, short-term, and medium-term timeframes. Using a quantitative methodology, the results showed that TFs were primarily called on the home team's coach (66.1%) when his team was trailing and the away team's coach (78.1%) when his team was at a disadvantage. Overall, TFs were called in 72.5% of the cases when the team was in a losing position. Furthermore, when the home team's coach was penalised with a TF, the home team secured victory in 44.2% of instances, while the away team won only in 28.1% of games played on the away team's court. Rebounds and fouls were the most pronounced performance indices to change after a TF call. The psychological state, which precedes and proceeds the TF calls, is considered the main reason for the momentum change. By and large, during crises, coaches can prioritise TFs calls, especially in home games, to boost psychological momentum. TFs can initiate team decline and boost scoring by decreasing personal fouls and increasing defensive rebounds. Future research is required to explore TFs’ effects within game quarters and differences between regular season and playoff games for further insights.

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.

Investigating the Relevance of Maximal Speed and Acceleration in Varsity-Level Female Ice Hockey Players.

To characterize and compare female ice hockey players' peak skating speed and acceleration ability during linear sprints and gameplay. We also sought to quantify the time spent at various speeds and the frequency of accelerations at different thresholds during games. Seventeen varsity-level female ice hockey players (20 [1.4]y, 68.9 [4.9]kg, 167.6 [4.7]cm) participated in an on-ice practice session (performing 3 × 40-m linear sprints) and 4 regular-season games while being monitored using a local positioning system. Speed and acceleration were recorded from the sprint and within-game monitoring. Time on ice spent in relative skating speed zones and the frequency of accelerations at different intensities were recorded. Players' greatest peak speeds (29.5 [1.3] vs 28.3 [1.1]km/h) and accelerations (4.39 [0.48] vs 3.34 [0.36]m/s2) reached during gameplay were higher than those reached in linear sprinting (both P < .01). Peak in-game values were moderately predicted by linear sprint values for speed (r = .69, P < .01) but not for acceleration (r < .01, P = .95). Players spent little time at near-peak linear sprint speeds (≥80% [22.7km/h], ∼3% time on ice; ≥90% [25.5km/h], <1% of time on ice) during gameplay. However, 26% to 35% of accelerations recorded during the 4 games were ≥90% of linear sprint acceleration. Although skating speed may be advantageous in specific game situations, our results suggest that players spend little time at near-maximal speeds while accelerating frequently during games. This warrants further investigation of direction changes, skating transitions, repeated sprints, and other determinant variables potentially related to on-ice success and the implementation of training strategies to improve repeated acceleration or qualities beyond maximal skating speed.

Effect of Repetitive Head Impacts on Saccade Performance in Canadian University Football Players.

Investigate the effect of cumulative head impacts on saccade latency and errors, measured across two successive football seasons. Participants were acquired from a sample of convenience-one Canadian university football team. Head impacts were collected during training camp, practices, eight regular season games, and four playoff games in each season. Saccade measurements were collected at five time points-before and after training camp, at midseason, after regular season, and after playoffs. Two seasons following players from a single USports football team during practices and games. Players who completed a baseline saccade measurement and a minimum of one follow-up measurement were included in the study. A total of 127 players were monitored across two competitive seasons, including 61 players who participated in both seasons. Head impact measurements were collected using helmet-mounted sensors. Saccade latency and number of errors were measured using high-speed video or electro-oculography. On average, each head impact increased prosaccade latency by 5.16 × 10-3 ms (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.26 × 10-4-1.00 × 10-2, P = 0.03) and antisaccade latency by 5.74 × 10-3 ms (95% CI, 7.18 × 10-4-1.06 × 10-2, P = 0.02). These latency increases did not decrease between the two seasons; in fact, prosaccade latencies were 23.20 ms longer (95% CI, 19.40-27.14, P < 0.001) at the second season's baseline measurement than the first. The number of saccade errors was not affected by cumulative head impacts. Repetitive head impacts in Canadian university football result in cumulative declines in brain function as measured by saccade performance. Football organizations should consider implementing policies focused on reducing head impacts to improve player safety.

Epidemiology of Stingers in the National Football League, 2015-2019.

Transient traumatic neuropraxia of either the brachial plexus or cervical nerve root(s) is commonly described as a "stinger" or "burner" by the athlete. Stingers in American Football commonly occur acutely as isolated injuries; however, concomitant injuries, including cervical spine pathologies, have also been reported. Among National Football League (NFL) athletes, the incidence rate of stingers is higher during the regular season than during the preseason and among positions with high velocity impacts such as running backs, linebackers, defensive backs, and receivers. Retrospective epidemiology study. Level 4. Aggregation of all in-game injuries with a clinical impression of "neck brachial plexus stretch" or "neck brachial plexus compression" entered into the NFL injury surveillance database through the centralized league-wide electronic medical record system over 5 years (2015-2019 seasons). Incidence rates per player-play were calculated and reported. A total of 691 in-game stingers occurred during the study period, with a mean of 138.2 per year. Average single-season injury risk for incident stinger was 3.74% (95% CI, 3.46%-4.05%). The incidence rate was higher during regular season games than during preseason games (12.26 per 100,000 player-plays [11.30-13.31] vs 8.87 [7.31-10.76], P < 0.01, respectively). The highest reported stinger incidence rates were among running backs and linebackers (both >15 per 100,000 player-plays). Among stingers, 76.41% did not miss time. Of those that resulted in time lost from football activities, mean time missed due to injury was 4.79 days (range, 3.17-6.41 days). Concomitant injuries were relatively low (7.09%). In-game stinger incidence was stable across the study period and occurred most frequently in running backs and linebackers. Stingers were more common during the regular season, and most players did not miss time. Concomitant injuries were relatively rare. An improved understanding of the expected time loss due to stinger and concomitant injuries may provide insight for medical personnel in managing these injuries.

"This is fine": the impact of blowouts on subsequent game performance in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Blowouts in sports involve large margins of victory or loss between teams and have long been perceived as influencing subsequent performances by athletes, coaches, fans, and other stakeholders. Under the backdrop of the hot hand ph enomenon, the current study explores the impact of blowouts on subsequent game performance in the National Hockey League (NHL). Specifically, we examine the potential carryover of a "hot (or cold) hand" on the subsequent game following a large win or loss. In our study, we defined blowouts as outlying goal differentials for regular season games (i.e., a difference of approximately 6 goals between teams in a single game based on 3 standard deviations from the mean goal differential during the sampled period). Using this criterion, data from 285 games over the 2005-06 to 2018-19 NHL regular seasons were gathered for analysis. We performed a series of multiple regressions using blowout goal differential as the main predictor, adjusting for location of the subsequent game, number of time zones from the home base city, whether the subsequent game was a back-to-back, and winning percentages of the team and opponent. Our results revealed no significant over or under performance by teams that either won through a blowout or those that lost by a blowout. Our findings are consistent with previous work in other and similar sports contexts. Practical applications and future directions for research are discussed.

Concussion Characteristics in the National Hockey League Before and After the Introduction of Rule 48

A rule prohibiting a direct hit to the lateral side of the head (ie, Rule 48-Illegal Check to the Head) was introduced in the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2010-2011 season and refined in the 2011-2012 season to widen the application to include direct contact to all areas of the head. To compare the incidence and proportion of concussions that occurred following hits to the head before and after the implementation of Rule 48. This retrospective cohort study used a before and after design to evaluate concussions among NHL players in regular season games. Data from the 4 seasons preceding the implementation of Rule 48 (2006-2007 to 2009-2010) were compared with data from 5 seasons following its implementation (2014-2015 to 2018-2019). Data were analyzed from October 31, 2021, to November 30, 2022. The incidence and relative proportion of concussion characteristics and mechanisms before and after the introduction of Rule 48. In the analysis of 688 concussions for NHL seasons spanning 2006 to 2010 (n = 231) and 2014 to 2019 (n = 457), there was an overall increase in the incidence of concussion between the 2 time frames, although the incidence of concussions due to hits to the lateral aspect of the head decreased from 1.6/100 games to 1.0/100 games (estimated difference, 0.6/100 games [90% credible interval (CrI), 0.30/100 games to 0.90/100 games). There was also a reduction of 18.8 (90% CrI, 13.0-23.7) percentage points in the proportion of concussions due to hits to the lateral aspect of the head from 80 of 231 concussions (34.6%) to 61 of 457 concussions (13.3%). The incidence of concussions following hits to the head from body checks using the shoulder, arm, and glove was similar before and following the implementation of Rule 48. However, the proportion was reduced 14.7 percentage points from 113 of 231 concussions (48.9%) before to 149 of 457 concussions (32.6%) after implementation of Rule 48 (90% CrI of the difference, 8.9-20.7 percentage points). The findings of this cohort study of NHL players suggest that after the introduction of Rule 48, the incidence rate and proportion of concussions from contact to the lateral aspect of the head decreased, as did the proportion of concussions following direct hits to the head.

Conservative Approach to Treating American Football Players With Medial Collateral Ligament Grade 2 Sprain During the Season.

The medial collateral ligament is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. The high-speed pivoting and agility movements that are common in the sport of American Football put participants at an increased risk for a valgus force stress from contact or noncontact injuries. Positional release therapy (PRT) also considered strain/counterstrain focuses on releasing the tension in a tissue through unloading the involved body part. Two male student-athletes participating in football with a mean age of 20.5years were diagnosed by a physician with medial collateral ligament grade 2 sprain. Both patients sustained their injuries in a regular season game with a contact valgus force from an opposing player. After the initial 72hours of compression, elevation, and cryotherapy, the patients were both treated with PRT followed by progressive loading exercises. Following 4 treatment sessions of PRT over the next 6days, the patients started with quadriceps engagement exercises, single-leg squats to 60° knee flexion, side steps, triceps dips, slow controlled lunges, and toe walk. The patients progressed to full body weight squats, single-leg landing, step-up tri-extension, and sidekicks with a leg on table. Then, the patients completed function movements and sports-specific exercises. In this case series, 2 patients competing in intercollege American Football were treated with PRT and progressive loading exercises to facilitate return to unrestricted activities and improve outcome measures. Commonly, a grade 2 medial collateral ligament sprain is conservatively treated with return to sport taking 20days on average. In this type 2 case series, the clinician found success utilizing PRT early in the recovery process, which in these 2 cases lead to restoration of function, outcome measure improvement, and an expedited return to sport. The expedited return to sport occurred at an average of 18days for these patients.

Facial Injuries in the National Basketball Association

Sport injuries can negatively impact physical and psychological aspects of athletes. There is a gap in the literature regarding facial trauma present in basketball. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe facial trauma present in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This is a retrospective cohort study in which the sample (n=206) consists of players that missed games due to facial injuries in the NBA, the data were collected from a public access online resource. The predictor variables were player position (center, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward), team conference (Eastern/Western), and if played games occurred in playoff season. The primary outcome variable was the injury location (upper, middle, and lower facial third), and the secondary outcome was type of injury (soft tissue/bone fracture). Player's age, height, weight, and body mass index were collected. χ2 and logistic regression were calculated to determine associations between predictor and outcome variables. Logistic regression was used to determine if variables were predictive for injury. Odds ratio was also computed for significant results. P value less than .05 (95% confidence interval) was considered statistically significant. A total of 206 players missed games due to facial injuries, and a total of 212 injuries were quantified. The mean age of the injured players was 27.24±4.06years, mean height (centimeters) was 201±59.31cm, mean weight (kilograms) was 99.48±12.41kg, and body mass index was 24.52±1.75kg/m2. Of the 212 injuries, none of them occurred in the upper facial third, 158 (75%) were in the middle third, and 54 (25%) were in the lower third; 151 of them were fractures (61%) and 61 were soft tissue injuries (29%). Most injuries were concentrated in centers (23%) and power forwards (23%). The most common fracture occurred in the nasal bones (39.2%), and most soft tissue injuries occurred in the eye globes (25%). Almost all injuries occurred during regular season games (97%), and the Eastern conference was slightly predominant (52%). Significant facial trauma in the NBA has risen in recent years. The player's position, height, and weight were the primary factors associated with facial trauma in the NBA.

Positional Movement Demands during NFL Football Games: A 3-Year Review

Understanding the in-game demands placed on athletes may allow practitioners to design improved training protocols to prepare athletes for competitive demands. This study aimed to quantify the competitive movement demands of professional American football athletes and to determine any inter-positional differences that may exist. Player tracking data were collected from 2018 to 2020 regular season games of the National Football League. Distance, maximum velocity, high-velocity efforts and distance, and acceleration and deceleration efforts and distance were used to evaluate competitive movement demands. To determine position-specific demands, each player was classified by their designated position, and velocity data from competitive games were used to develop position-specific velocity thresholds. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni statistical analysis were used to determine inter-positional difference. Significant (p &lt; 0.05) positional differences were found for all load metrics with respect to competitive game demands. Generally, wide receivers and defensive backs had faster maximum velocities, higher distances, and more acceleration and deceleration efforts and distance than other positions. Linebackers accumulated the most high-velocity efforts and distance. Lineman had the lowest values for all assessed metrics. These findings may assist the performance staff in developing improved training and return-to-play protocols with the aim of improving player performance and mitigating injury.

Association of Injury Rates Among Players in the National Football League With Playoff Qualification, Travel Distance, Game Timing, and the Addition of Another Game: Data From the 2017 to 2022 Seasons.

Injury incidence is higher in the National Football League (NFL) than in other collision sports. Although previous research has identified that scheduling variations, including overseas games and bye week timing, does not affect concussion risk, data are currently lacking regarding the effects of scheduling variation on season-long musculoskeletal injury incidence. To determine whether higher cumulative travel distance, overseas play, an early season bye week, and an expansion of the regular season is associated with higher injury rates in the NFL. Descriptive epidemiology study. All 1275 injuries across 5 NFL seasons from 2017 to 2018 through 2021 to 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Injury data and travel distances were extracted from publicly available sources, which were cross-referenced for validation. Injury rates were calculated per 1000 athletic-exposures (AEs). Cumulative team travel distances were compared statistically using a linear regression. Single factor analysis of variance was used to compare categorical variables. Travel distance did not significantly predict injury rates (P = .47), and there was no difference in injury rates between teams that played a game overseas versus teams that did not (19.3 injuries per 1000 AEs for both; P = .96). In addition, no difference was found in injury rates (F[109,2100[ = 0.704; P = .73) or players placed on the injured reserve list (F[99,778] = 1.70; P = .077) between various bye weeks (P = .73). Injury rates did not differ between the new 17-game regular season (18.4 per 1000 AEs) versus the previous four 16-game regular seasons (19.7 per 1000 AEs; P = .12). However, teams that did not qualify for the playoffs had a significantly higher injury rate (19.9 per 1000 AEs) as well as players on injured reserve (8.0 per 1000 AEs) than playoff-qualifying teams (18.4 and 6.8 per 1000 AEs, respectively; P < .05 for both). Over 5 NFL seasons, cumulative travel distance, overseas play, bye week timing, and adding 1 regular season game were not associated with increased injury rates in NFL players. However, a lack of regular season success was associated with higher injury rates and more players on injured reserve.

Determinants of ticket prices in the secondary ticket market and the effects of COVID-19: empirical evidence from NBA ticket price data analytics

PurposeScholars note there are limited studies analyzing ticket price determinants. Using the common seat approach, the authors sought to advance this line of research by analyzing determinants of National Basketball Association (NBA) ticket prices in the secondary ticket market. The authors’ research seeks to ask two questions. The first is how ticket prices in the secondary market are associated with common determinants of consumer demand. The second question is what impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on ticket prices in the secondary market.Design/methodology/approachTicket prices of NBA regular season games in the 2021–2022 season were collected a week before the game day from Ticketmaster.com. A regression model was estimated with a group of independent variables: income, population, consumer preference, quality of viewing, quality of contest and pandemic (the number of COVID-19 cases).FindingsResults indicate income, population, consumer preferences (e.g. team quality and star players) and quality of viewing (e.g. arena age and weekend) impact prices. Further, the number of COVID-19 cases did reduce the ticket price.Originality/valueThe present study illuminates the theoretical significance of analyzing ticket prices as a proxy of demand in professional sport, while providing practical implications regarding the potential opportunity to increase revenue.

Interim performance information and risk taking in a tournament—Field evidence from professional basketball

AbstractThis paper examines whether the shooting decisions under the leading (/lagging) condition moderate (/stimulate) risk taking. Using the task of field goal attempts in basketball competitions involving National Basketball Association regular season and playoff games, I find strong evidence of a significantly causal effect of interim performance information (IPI) on the probability of a risky shooting. Our results support the leading, lagging, and nothing‐to‐lose effects on individual risk taking under different conditions of time and score proximation in high‐stakes dynamic competitions when performing skill‐based tasks. Furthermore, the IPI effects are found to differ between Covid and non‐Covid periods.

Poster 381: The Current NFL Schedule is not a Risk Factor for Musculoskeletal Injuries; Epidemiology of NFL Injuries From 2017-2022

Objectives: The National Football League, among the most popular team sports in the United States, carries an injury incidence that is higher than that of other collision sports, such as rugby and ice hockey. Considerable research has been undertaken to investigate the etiology of injuries in the NFL and has identified numerous risk factors on the level of individual games, including playing surface and gameday weather conditions; additionally, one study has found that concussion risk is not affected by scheduling variation, such as overseas games and bye week timing. However, there is currently no data that reports the effects of scheduling variation over the course of a season on musculoskeletal injury incidence. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the relationship between scheduling factors and injury rates among professional athletes in the NFL. It was hypothesized that higher cumulative travel distance, playing overseas games, an early season bye week, and an expansion of the regular season would be associated with higher injury rates. Methods: The current study was a descriptive epidemiological study that retrospectively reviewed all injuries that occurred in the five NFL seasons from the 2017-2018 season through the 2021-2022 season. Injury data and travel distances were extracted from publicly available sources and injury reports were cross-referenced to verify injury data. Injury rates were calculated per 1,000 athletic exposures (AEs). Results: In 1,216 regular season games in the five NFL seasons, 4,378 injuries were reported for an average injury rate per year of 34.42 injuries per 1,000 AEs. Cumulative team travel distance did not significantly predict injury rates (Figure 1). There was not a statistically significant difference in injury rates between NFL teams that did (19.3 per 1,000 AEs) versus did not play a game overseas (19.3 per 1,000 AEs) (Figure 2). There was not a statistically significant difference in injury rates or the number of players on the injured reserve list between the various bye weeks. There was not a statically significant difference in injury rates between the new 17-game regular season (18.4 per 1,000 AEs) versus the previous four 16-game regular seasons (19.7 per 1,000 AEs) (Figure 3). However, NFL teams that did not qualify for the playoffs had a significantly higher injury rate (19.9 per 1,000 AEs) versus teams that did qualify for the playoffs (18.4 per 1,000 AEs). Also, NFL teams that did not qualify for the playoffs had a significantly higher number of players on the injured reserve list (8.0 per 1,000 AEs) versus teams that qualified for the playoffs (6.8 per 1,000 AEs) (Figure 4). Conclusions: Over five NFL seasons, increased cumulative travel distance, playing a game overseas, and having an early season bye week were not associated with increased injury rates in professional football players. The addition of one regular season game, from 16 to 17 during the 2020 season, was not associated with an increased injury rate. However, not qualifying for post-season play was associated with an increased injury rate and an increase in the number of players on injured reserve. Overall, the analysis suggests that the analyzed parameters in the current NFL schedule were not risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries over the last five seasons; however, lack of regular season success may be associated with higher injury rates and more players on injured reserve.

Poster 380: Decreased concussion incidence following revised contact rules; An updated epidemiology of NFL concussions from 2017-2022

Objectives: The incidence of concussions in football, and the media attention that followed, has garnered scientific investigation, prompted technological advances in protective gear, and altered the rules of the game, including the NFL’s “Targeting” rule, which began in 2018. In previously studied seasons, certain positions, such as offensive skill players, had higher rates of concussions while defensive secondary and offensive line players suffered the greatest number of concussions, but the severity of these concussions has not been reported. The advent of the “Targeting” rule has been shown to reduce concussions in collegiate football leagues, but its effect on NFL and professional-level players is unknown. The objectives of this retrospective study were to describe the epidemiology of concussions among professional football players in the NFL during the last five seasons, determine changes in incidence over the study period, and characterize positional differences in rate and games missed. Methods: The current study was a descriptive epidemiological study that retrospectively reviewed all concussions that occurred in the five NFL seasons from the 2017-2018 season through the 2021-2022 season that resulted in at least one game missed. Total concussions, total games missed due to concussion, and average games missed per concussion were extracted from publicly available injury reports and were cross-referenced with publicly available sources. Concussion rates were calculated per 1,000 athletic exposures (AEs). A sub-analysis was performed by year, game unit, position type, and game week. Results: In 1,216 regular season games in the five NFL seasons, there were a total of 368 concussions for a rate of 0.30 concussions per game and 7.04 concussions per 1,000 AEs. More concussions were concentrated in the last one-third of the regular season. There was a statically significant decrease (38%; p&lt;0.05) in total concussions between the 2017-2018 season (102 total concussions) and the four seasons between 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 (average of 73.8 concussions per year). During the five seasons, there were 1,014 games missed due to concussion, an average of 2.76 games missed per concussion, and 0.056 games missed due to concussion per 1,000 AEs. Following the 2017-2018 season, there was a 53% decrease in the total games missed due to concussion (Figure 1b) and a 38% decrease in the average games missed per concussion (Figure 1c). Descriptively, both offensive and defensive units had decreased concussion rates and average games missed per concussion in the four seasons after 2017 (Figure 2). Defensive backs (10.46 per 1,000 AEs) and tight ends (10.69 per 1,000 AEs) had the highest concussion rates. The defensive line had the highest average games missed per concussion at 3.97 (Table 1). Conclusions: The introduction of the “Targeting” rule in the NFL beginning in the 2018 season correlated with a decrease in total concussions per year, total games missed per concussion, and games missed per concussion. Both offensive and defensive units experienced similar reductions in concussion incidence and severity. Overall, the updated epidemiology of NFL concussions suggests that efforts to protect professional football players from concussions have been successful, however, players continue to experience concussions that require them to miss multiple games. [Table: see text]