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).Results: A total of 3183 severe injuries were reported, for an injury rate of 0.66/1000 AEs. Wrestling had the highest severe injury rate (1.73/1000 AEs), followed by women's gymnastics (1.40/1000 AEs) and football (0.97/1000 AEs). Overall, the severe injury rate was higher in competition than in practice (RR ¼ 4.25, 95% CI ¼ 3.97, 4.56). Most severe injuries were reported during the regular season (69.3%, n ¼ 2206); however, severe injury rates did not differ between the preseason and regular season (RR ¼ 0.98, 95% CI ¼ 0.91, 1.06). Common severely injured body parts were the knee (32.9%, n ¼ 1047), lower leg/ankle/foot (22.5%, n ¼ 715), and head/face/ neck (11.2%, n ¼ 358). Common severe injury diagnoses were sprains (32.9%, n ¼ 1048), strains (16.9%, n ¼ 538), and fractures (14.4%, n ¼ 458). Common severe injury mechanisms were player contact (39.3%, n ¼ 1251), noncontact (25.1%, n ¼ 800), and surface contact (12.0%, n ¼ 383).Conclusions: Severe injuries occurred across many sports and by numerous mechanisms. By identifying these sportspecific patterns, clinicians' efforts can be tailored toward improving injury-prevention strategies and health outcomes.Key Words: injury surveillance, injury rates, injury prevention
Key PointsSevere injury rates varied by sport, event type, and sex. As patterns within specific sports are identified, health care providers can develop injury-prevention strategies and promote efforts such as rule changes to improve athlete safety.