Epidemiology of American Football Injuries at Universities in the United Kingdom

Bayram, John M.; Hamilton, David F.; Saunders, David H.

Abstract

Background:
College-level American football injury data are routinely collected; however, data relating to American football injuries at universities in the United Kingdom have never been reported.

Purpose:
To describe the epidemiology of UK university American football injuries.

Study Design:
Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:
An online survey tool was used to collect the injury data of 410 players from 56 UK university teams who participated in the 2014-2015 British Universities and College Sports American football season. Survey data were collected from January to February 2016 and were analyzed to determine the incidence and patterns of injury.

Results:
Overall, 710 injuries and 204 concussions were self-reported among the 410 participants, of which 334 (81.5%) were injured and 131 (32.0%) experienced concussion symptoms. The rate of injury per 100 athlete-seasons was greater in defensive players (195.3) than offensive players (155.1). The most common injuries were knee and ankle ligament injuries. Most injuries were classified as severe (time loss of >4 weeks).

Conclusion:
UK university American football injuries differ markedly from those reported for US colleges. UK university players appear to have less playing experience, greater concussion risks, more severe injuries, and a greater proportion of injuries in defensive players versus offensive players.

Citation

Bayram, J. M., Hamilton, D. F., & Saunders, D. H. (2020). Epidemiology of American Football Injuries at Universities in the United Kingdom. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 8(10), https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967120960206

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 11, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Oct 29, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 9, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 10, 2020
• Journal: Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
• Electronic ISSN: 2325-9671
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 10
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967120960206
• Keywords: football (American), head injuries/concussion, general sports trauma, epidemiology
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2698362