Epidemiology of Quadriceps Strains in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes, 2009–2010 Through 2014–2015

Abstract

academic years were analyzed. Quadriceps strain injury rates and injury rate ratios (IRRs) were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: Overall, 517 quadriceps strains were reported, resulting in an injury rate of 1.07/10 000 athlete-exposures (AEs). The sports with the highest overall quadriceps strain rates were women's soccer (5.61/10 000 AEs), men's soccer (2.52/ 10 000 AEs), women's indoor track (2.24/10 000 AEs), and women's softball (2.15/10 000 AEs). Across sex-comparable sports, women had a higher rate of quadriceps strains than men overall (1.97 versus 0.65/10 000 AEs; IRR ¼ 3.03; 95% CI ¼ 2.45, 3.76). The majority of quadriceps strains were sustained during practice (77.8%). However, the quadriceps strain rate was higher during competition than during practice (1.29 versus 1.02/10 000 AEs; IRR ¼ 1.27; 95% CI ¼ 1.03, 1.56). Most quadriceps strains occurred in the preseason (57.8%), and rates were higher during the preseason compared with the regular season (2.29 versus 0.63/10 000 AEs; IRR ¼ 3.60; 95% CI ¼ 3.02, 4.30). Common injury mechanisms were noncontact (63.2%) and overuse (21.9%). Most quadriceps strains restricted participation by less than 1 week (79.3%).Conclusions: Across 25 sports, higher quadriceps strain rates were found in women versus men, in competitions versus practices, and in the preseason versus the regular season. Most quadriceps strains were minor in severity, although further surveillance is needed to better examine the risk factors associated with incidence and severity.Key Words: injury surveillance, injury prevention, collegiate sports Key PointsThe highest rates of quadriceps strains were found in women's and men's soccer. Rates of quadriceps strains were higher in women versus men (in sex-comparable sports), in competitions versus practices, and in the preseason versus regular season.

Nontraumatic Anterior Thigh Pain in a NCAA Lacrosse Athlete: A Case Report and Description of a Rectus Femoris Degloving Injury

“…Injuries to the quadriceps muscles are common in athletics, with the rates of injury reported to be higher in women and occurring more frequently in competition [1, 5]. Among NCAA athletes, quadriceps strains, the most common type of quadriceps injury, are reported to occur at a rate of 1.07/10,000 athlete exposures (AEs).…”

“…Injuries to the quadriceps muscles are common in athletics. Certain sports such as soccer may show higher rates of adductor injuries compared to quadriceps injuries, but in aggregate studies of all sports, quadriceps injuries appear to be the second most common type of lower extremity muscle injuries behind hamstring injuries [1–4]. Quadriceps injuries include strains, tears, contusions, and hematomas.…”

Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Rehabilitation, and Plasticity Following Traumatic Injury

“…Supported by the abundance of evidence-based rehabilitation approaches for injuries such as muscle strains [1,2], these injury types are common [15] and account for ~17.1 million injuries annually [9]. In NCAA athletes, for example, strains of the quadriceps muscle group occur at a rate of ~2 per 10 000 NCAA athlete-exposures overall, with higher rates in specific sports, such as soccer (up to ~6 per 10 000 exposures) [16]. Similarly, in this athletic population hamstring muscle group strains occur at a rate of ~3 per 10 000 NCAA athlete-exposures [17].…”

Fifteen-week window for recurrent muscle strains in football: a prospective cohort of 3600 muscle strains over 23 years in professional Australian rules football

“…The hamstring strain is the most common injury in elite football (soccer),1 Australian rules football2 and also a very common injury in American football,3 rugby league4 and rugby union 5. Quadriceps strains,6 calf strains7 and groin injuries8 are common in all codes of football (including Australian football), and groin injuries are also particularly common in ice hockey 9…”