Citation

Agel J, Klossner D. Br. J. Sports Med. 2014; 48(7): 560.

Affiliation

Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.2

PMID

24620043

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Extensive effort has been put into awareness and prevention programs to decrease the overall rate of injury and the difference between sexes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to document the rate of ACL injury in 14 collegiate sports over an eight year period and compare it to an earlier 16 year review. DESIGN: Descriptive Epidemiology. SETTING: Universities in the U.S. PARTICIPANTS: NCAA athletes. INTERVENTIONS: There was no intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome chosen apriori is injury. RESULTS: The majority of ACL injuries to women occurred by a non-contact mechanism of injury while the majority of ACL injuries to men occurred by a contact mechanism. The highest rates of ACL injury for men were found in American football (0.17 per 1000 A-E and wrestling (0.16 per 1000 A-E). The highest rates of ACL injury for women were found in basketball and lacrosse (0.23 per 1000 A-E). Within the 8 year study period men's and women's ice hockey showed the greatest increase over time with an average annual rate of change of 105% and 136% respectively. Mens' baseball and women's lacrosse showed the greatest decrease in average annual rate of change (16.9% and 17% respectively).When comparing the current 8 years of data to previously reported 16 years of data baseball and women's basketball, showed no change, men's basketball, lacrosse, and wrestling along with field hockey showed an increase and American football, men's and women's ice hockey and soccer, women's lacrosse, softball, and volleyball showed a decrease in overall injury rate. CONCLUSIONS: Despite focused scientific efforts and prevention programs ACL injuries remain a significant injury in collegiate sports. Women continue to sustain ACL injuries at higher rates than men in the comparable sports of soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.

Language: en