Citation

McCunn R, Fullagar HH, Williams S, Halseth TJ, Sampson JA, Murray A. Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform. 2017; 12(10): 1297-1304.

Affiliation

2 Department of Athletics (Football), University of Oregon, Leo Harris Pwky Drive, Eugene, OR, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/ijspp.2016-0803

PMID

28253034

Abstract

PURPOSE: American football is widely played by collegiate student-athletes throughout the United States; however, the associated injury risk is greater than in other team sports. Numerous factors likely contribute to this risk yet research identifying these risk factors is limited. The present study sought to explore the relationship between playing experience and position on injury risk within NCAA Division I collegiate footballers.

METHODS: Seventy-six male collegiate student athletes within the American football program of an NCAA Division I university participated. Injuries were recorded over two consecutive seasons. Players were characterized based on college year (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) and playing position. The effect of playing experience and position on injury incidence rates was analysed using a generalized linear mixed-effects model, with a Poisson distribution, log-linear link function, and offset for hours of training exposure or number of in-game plays (for training and game injuries, respectively).

RESULTS: The overall rates of non-time loss and time loss game related injuries were 2.1 (90% CI: 1.8-2.5) and 0.6 (90% CI: 0.4-0.8) per 1000 plays respectively. The overall rates of non-time loss and time loss training related injuries were 26.0 (90% CI: 22.6-29.9) and 7.1 (90% CI: 5.9-8.5) per 1000 hours respectively. During training, seniors and running backs displayed the greatest risk. During games, sophomores, juniors and wide receivers were at greatest risk.

CONCLUSIONS: Being aware of the elevated injury risk experienced by certain player groups may help coaches make considered decisions related to training design and player selection.

Language: en

Keywords

American football; college; gridiron; injuries; risk factors