Key result
Among 1,877 high school football injuries, the most common types were sprains (32.2%) and contusions (24.8%), most frequently affecting the knee (22.2%) and involving offensive linemen (23.7%).
Why the study?
What are the patterns and frequencies of high school football injuries by type, player position, and body area?
Observational (n=1,877)
No
What are the patterns and frequencies of high school football injuries by type, player position, and body area?
Sprains and contusions to the knee and shoulder are the most common high school football injuries, particularly among offensive linemen and running backs.
Supports targeted prevention strategies in youth football; cross-sectional data leaves causal links open for prospective study.
To investigate high school football injuries, we analyzed 1,877 injuries (661 game, 1,216 practice) treated from 1976 through 1979 at the Sports Medicine Clinic at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The common injury types were sprain (32.2%), contusion (24.8%), strain (12.4%), fracture (11.0%), tear (3.8%), dislocation (2.1%), myositis ossificans (1.4%), tendinitis (1.3%), and concussion (1.0%). Position of the player injured was quarterback (8.7%), running back (19.6%), receiver (12.4%), offensive lineman (23.7%), defensive lineman (10.2%), defensive back (9.2%), and linebacker (9.0%). Body areas affected included head/neck (7.6%), shoulder (13.3%), upper arm (1.4%), elbow (3.4%), lower arm (2.0%), wrist (2.9%), hand/fingers (11.9%), chest/ribs (3.4%), back (4.9%), abdomen (0.7%), groin (0.7%), hip (2.4%), upper leg (4.6%), knee (22.2%), lower leg (4.0%), ankle (10.9%), and foot/toes (4.2%). These data are similar to those in previous reports, although subtle differences suggest variations in injury patterns due to rule changes and equipment modification.
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Culpepper et al. (1983) conducted an observational in High school football injuries (n=1,877). High school football participation was evaluated on Injury types, player positions, and body areas affected. Among 1,877 high school football injuries, the most common types were sprains (32.2%) and contusions (24.8%), most frequently affecting the knee (22.2%) and involving offensive linemen (23.7%).
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