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

Abstract

Context Women's volleyball is a globally popular sport with widespread participation at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level. Background Routine examinations of NCAA women's volleyball injuries are important for recognizing emerging injury-related patterns in this population. Methods Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 athletic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differences in injury rates. Results The overall injury rate was 6.73 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Knee (14.6%) and ankle (13.8%) injuries accounted for the largest proportion of all reported injuries, and most injuries were attributed to overuse (26.1%) or noncontact (22.7%) mechanisms. Lateral ankle ligament complex tears (11.1%) and concussions (7.3%) were the most commonly reported specific injury. Summary Results indicate an increasing burden of practice-related injuries and the need to further examine overuse injuries. Lower-extremity injury prevention strategies and mechanisms of concussion also warrant further attention.