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.