The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Girls' Lacrosse (2008–2009 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Lacrosse (2004–2005 Through 2013–2014)

Abstract

Context The advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online (HS RIO) system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP) has aided the acquisition of girls' and women's lacrosse injury data. Objective To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school girls' lacrosse in the 2008–2009 through 2013–2014 academic years and collegiate women's lacrosse in the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014-academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Online injury surveillance from high school girls' (annual average = 55) and collegiate women's (annual average = 19) lacrosse teams. Patients or Other Participants Female lacrosse players who participated in practices or competitions during the 2008–2009 through 2013–2014 academic years for high school or the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years for college. Main Outcome Measure(s) Athletic trainers collected time-loss injury (≥24 hours) and exposure data. We calculated injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and injury proportions by body site and diagnosis. Results High school RIO documented 700 time-loss injuries during 481 687 AEs; the NCAA-ISP documented 1027 time-loss injuries during 287 856 AEs. The total injury rate during 2008–2009 through 2013–2014 was higher in college than in high school (2.55 versus 1.45/1000 AEs; IRR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.54, 1.99). Most injuries occurred during competitions in high school (51.1%) and practices in college (63.8%). Rates were higher during competitions compared with practices in high school (IRR = 2.32; 95% CI = 2.00, 2.69) and college (IRR = 2.38; 95% CI = 2.09, 2.70). Concussion was the most common diagnosis among all high school and most collegiate player positions, and the main mechanism of contact was with a playing apparatus (eg, stick, ball). Ligament sprains were also common (HS RIO practices = 22.2%, competitions = 30.3%; NCAA-ISP practices = 25.5%, competitions = 30.9%). Conclusions Rates of injury were higher in college versus high school female lacrosse players and in competitions versus practices. Injury-prevention strategies are essential to decrease the incidence and severity of concussions and ligament sprains.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Lacrosse: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019

“…2 Parallel to the increase in popularity and participation, epidemiologic studies of injuries related to women's lacrosse athletes have emerged and identified the burden of injury in this sport. 1,[3][4][5][6] The sustained rise in women's collegiate lacrosse sponsorship and participation necessitates routine epidemiologic investigation into the nature and incidence of injuries in this population.…”

“…7 Continued monitoring of athletic injury is currently accomplished electronically via the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (ISP). 7,8 Prior researchers using data from the NCAA ISP have identified the overall injury rate in women's lacrosse as approximately 4 injuries per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs) 3,5 ; however, until recently, nontime loss (NTL) injuries were not included in the analyses. In addition, the Division III injury rate has been noted to be higher than the Division I injury rate, and the rate of injury during competitions has been reported as more than twice as high as the practice injury rate.…”

“…In addition, the Division III injury rate has been noted to be higher than the Division I injury rate, and the rate of injury during competitions has been reported as more than twice as high as the practice injury rate. 5 Prior investigators have also indicated that the hip/thigh/upper leg, ankle, and knee were among the most commonly injured body parts, and ligament sprains, muscle/tendon strains, and concussions were among the most common diagnoses in NCAA women's lacrosse. 5 The articles in this issue are published as accepted and have not been edited.…”

“…5 Prior investigators have also indicated that the hip/thigh/upper leg, ankle, and knee were among the most commonly injured body parts, and ligament sprains, muscle/tendon strains, and concussions were among the most common diagnoses in NCAA women's lacrosse. 5 The articles in this issue are published as accepted and have not been edited.…”

“…Further, the notable burden of head/face injuries has sparked discussion surrounding the role of protective equipment in the sport. 5,9 Given the continued increase in NCAA women's lacrosse participation, and the emerging interest in the topic of protective equipment in women's lacrosse (eg, addition of a helmet), 9 it is critical to update the epidemiologic evidence surrounding injury incidence in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to summarize the descriptive epidemiology of women's lacrosse injuries in a sample of NCAA teams recorded in the NCAA ISP during the 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 athletic seasons.…”