The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Boys' Basketball (2005–2006 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball (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 system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program has aided the acquisition of boys' and men's basketball injury data. Objective To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school boys' basketball in the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years and collegiate men's basketball in the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Online injury surveillance from basketball teams of high school boys (annual average = 100) and collegiate men (annual average = 55). Patients or Other Participants Boys' and men's basketball players who participated in practices and competitions during the 2005–2006 through 2013–2014 academic years in high school or the 2004–2005 through 2013–2014 academic years in college. Main Outcome Measures Athletic trainers collected time-loss (≥24 hours) injury and exposure data. Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs) were calculated. Injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) compared injury rates by school size or division, time in season, event type, and competition level. Results The High School Reporting Information Online system documented 3056 time-loss injuries during 1 977 480 AEs; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program documented 4607 time-loss injuries during 868 631 AEs. The injury rate was higher for college than for high school (5.30 versus 1.55/1000 AE; IRR = 3.43; 95% CI = 3.28, 3.59). The injury rate was higher for competitions than for practices in both high school (IRR = 2.38; 95% CI = 2.22, 2.56) and college (IRR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.90, 2.14). The most common injuries at both levels were ligament sprains, muscle/tendon strains, and concussions; most injuries affected the ankle, knee, and head/face. Injuries were most often caused by contact with another player or noncontact mechanisms. Conclusions Injury rates were greater among collegiate players compared with high school players and were greater during competitions than practices at both levels. Distributions of injuries by body part, diagnoses, and mechanisms of injury were similar, suggesting that athletes at both levels may benefit from similar injury-prevention strategies.