Late Adolescent Athletes Suffer More Musculoskeletal Injuries in Contact Sports Compared to Other Young Adults: A 10-Year NEISS Analysis
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Authors
Fee, Brianna
Saggar, Rachit
Qi, Andrew
Heidinger, Eva
Brown, Cortez
Hogan, MaCalus
Issue Date
2025-04-25
Type
Other
Language
en_US
Keywords
Scholarship Sewanee 2025 , University of the South, Sports Medicine and Health
Alternative Title
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine general incidence rate patterns of musculoskeletal injuries in contact sports. We hypothesized that disparities exist in the rates, types, distribution, and severity of injuries among young adult athletes in contact sports.
METHODS: We conducted our analysis using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 2014 to 2023. Analyses included individuals aged 15 to 25 who derived a musculoskeletal injury from basketball, soccer, rugby, or ice hockey. Injuries were classified into three categories: dislocations, strains/sprains, and fractures. Age was categorized into 3 distinct groups (15-18, 18-21, 21-25). Chi-square tests of independence and logistic regression models were used to analyze associations and calculate odds ratios (OR) for factors related to injury patterns and hospitalization.
RESULTS: The analysis included 45,917 reported cases and a weighted estimate of 1,532,982. The 15-18 age group accounted for 63.1% of injuries, with basketball being the most common sport (71.5% of injuries), followed by soccer (25.1%), rugby (1.8%), and ice hockey (1.7%). Mean age varied by sport: rugby (19.16 years), basketball (18.24 years), soccer, and ice hockey (both 17.95 years). Overall, the 21-25 age group had the highest odds of hospitalization (OR 0.844). Body parts most likely to result in hospitalization were upper leg (OR 19.44), neck (OR 7.27), and lower leg (OR 4.01). Injury frequencies generally decreased as age increased (R² = 0.903), except in rugby, and monthly trends aligned with typical competition seasons.
CONCLUSION: This analysis reveals significant disparities in musculoskeletal injury patterns among young adult contact sports players. The prevalence of injuries in 15-18-year-olds underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies in adolescents. Variations in injury between sports and genders highlight the importance of tailored approaches to injury prevention and treatment. Body parts associated with higher hospitalization risks provide crucial information for acute care management. These findings offer valuable insights for developing appropriate interventions to enhance athlete safety in contact sports.
Description
Citation
Publisher
University of the South