Epidemiology of 10,000 High School Football Injuries: Patterns of Injury by Position Played

Abstract

Patterns of football injuries vary by position. Identifying such differences is important to drive development of evidence-based, targeted injury prevention efforts.

Tackling in Youth Football

“…14,[16][17][18] A higher proportion of injuries result from contact than noncontact mechanisms. 14,16,17,23,66 Tackling, specifically, is the most common player activity at the time of injury 20 and at the time of severe injury. 26 Being tackled and tackling account for about half of high school and college football-related injuries.…”

“…26 Being tackled and tackling account for about half of high school and college football-related injuries. 17,18 The majority of concussions result from tackling or being tackled. 17 Head-to-head contact is one of the leading causes of concussions sustained by youth football players.…”

“…[12][13][14][15][16] The head and neck sustain a relatively small proportion of overall injuries, ranging from 5% to 13%. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Fortunately, most injuries are contusions, musculotendinous strains, and ligamentous sprains. 12,13,15,17,18 Available data suggest that both the overall incidence and the severity of injuries sustained by younger football players are lower than those sustained by older players, [12][13][14][15][16]18,19,[21][22][23][24][25] although this finding is not universally consistent.…”

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Fortunately, most injuries are contusions, musculotendinous strains, and ligamentous sprains. 12,13,15,17,18 Available data suggest that both the overall incidence and the severity of injuries sustained by younger football players are lower than those sustained by older players, [12][13][14][15][16]18,19,[21][22][23][24][25] although this finding is not universally consistent. 21 Some studies suggest that the incidence of overall injuries in football is similar to other sports, 19,21 although the incidence of serious injuries appears to be greater for football than many other team sports.…”

“…The most commonly injured body parts in football at all ages are the knee, [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] ankle, 12-21 hand, 21 and back. [12][13][14][15][16] The head and neck sustain a relatively small proportion of overall injuries, ranging from 5% to 13%.…”