Gender-Specific Injury Patterns in High School Varsity Basketball

Abstract

An analysis of 2 years of injury surveillance data on female and male high school varsity basketball players gathered by certified athletic trainers at 196 schools around the nation is presented. In contrast to previous reports, the rate of sport-related injury (game and practice combined) was approximately the same for both sexes. The girls had a slightly higher proportion of moderate and major injuries than had the boys. Sprains were the most frequent type of injury for both sexes, and the most frequently injured body part was the ankle. The majority of injuries were new vs reinjuries. The rate of injury was twice as great for game-play as for practice in both sexes. The rate of major injury in game-play was higher for the girls, and these injuries involved the knee 58% of the time. Certain body characteristics and the player's sex were associated with knee and ankle injuries. More injury surveillance studies are needed that contain specific injury diagnoses and data on player fitness, strength, flexibility, body type, and conditioning activities to further delineate the risk of gender-specific injury and highlight the factors that can be controlled.

Effect of Neuromuscular Warm-up on Injuries in Female Soccer and Basketball Athletes in Urban Public High Schools

“…ries requiring surgery. 12,13 In the United States, 20 000 to 80 000 high school female athletes experience anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries each year, with most in soccer and basketball. 8,14,15 Long-term studies [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] show that despite treatment, knee and ankle injuries increase the risk of premature osteoarthritis.…”

Epidemiology of knee injuries among adolescents: a systematic review

“…Only three studies reported knee injury mechanisms (16%). The most common injury mechanisms were landing from a jump, shooting, guarding, and collision with another player 3 18 25. The type of treatment provided was reported in seven of the studies reviewed, although four of these studies provided information only on surgical interventions 17 20 22 23…”

Epidemiology of Basketball Injuries Among Adults Presenting to Ambulatory Care Settings in the United States

“…However, these studies have mainly focused on active populations such as high school, college, and professional athletes or military personnel. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Few studies have assessed sports-related injuries among general adult populations. 2,4,5,[21][22][23][24] Among sports and recreation-related injuries in the United States, those associated with basketball are one of the most common sports injuries that require medical treatment.…”