@article{ref1,
title="The epidemiology of severe injuries sustained by National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes, 2009-2010 through 2014-2015",
journal="Journal of athletic training",
year="2017",
author="Kay, Melissa C. and Register-Mihalik, Johna K. and Gray, Aaron D. and Djoko, Aristarque and Dompier, Thomas P. and Kerr, Zachary Y.",
volume="52",
number="2",
pages="117-128",
abstract="CONTEXT:  Few researchers have described the incidence of the most severe injuries sustained by student-athletes at the collegiate level. <br><br>OBJECTIVE:  To describe the epidemiology of severe injuries within 25 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports in the 2009-2010 through 2014-2015 academic years. <br><br>DESIGN:  Descriptive epidemiology study. SETTING:  Aggregate injury and exposure data from 25 NCAA sports. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS:  Collegiate student-athletes in the 2009-2010 through 2014-2015 academic years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):  Injury data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program were analyzed. A severe injury (1) occurred during a sanctioned competition or practice, (2) required medical attention by an athletic trainer or physician, and (3) resulted in at least 21 days lost from sport activity or a premature end to the sport season. Injury counts, proportions, rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), rate ratios (RRs), and injury proportion ratios were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). <br><br>RESULTS:  A total of 3183 severe injuries were reported, for an injury rate of 0.64/1000 AEs. Wrestling had the highest severe injury rate (1.73/1000 AEs), followed by women's gymnastics (1.40/1000 AEs) and American football (0.97/1000 AEs). Overall, the severe injury rate was higher in competition than in practice (RR = 4.25, 95% CI = 3.97, 4.56). Most severe injuries were reported during the regular season (69.3%, n = 2206); however, severe injury rates did not differ between the preseason and regular season (RR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.91, 1.06). Common severely injured body parts were the knee (32.9%, n = 1047), lower leg/ankle/foot (22.5%, n = 715), and head/face/neck (11.2%, n = 358). Common severe injury diagnoses were sprains (32.9%, n = 1048), strains (16.9%, n = 538), and fractures (14.4%, n = 458). Common severe injury mechanisms were player contact (25.1%, n = 800), noncontact (25.1%, n = 800), and surface contact (12.0%, n = 383). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS:  Severe injuries occurred across many sports and by numerous mechanisms. By identifying these sport-specific patterns, clinicians' efforts can be tailored toward improving injury-prevention strategies and health outcomes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1062-6050",
doi="10.4085/1062-6050-52.1.01",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-52.1.01"
}