Determinants of lower-extremity injury severity and recovery in U.S. High School Soccer Players

ABSTRACT

Lower-extremity injuries are common among soccer players, yet few studies have attempted to identify determinants of lower-extremity injury severity and recovery within this group. We aim to identify determinants of lower-extremity injury severity and recovery among high school (HS) soccer players in the US. We used soccer-related injury observations recorded within the NATION-SP during 2011/12-2013/14. Odds of a season-ending game-related injury were higher than a season-ending practice-related injury (Adj. OR = 2.64, 95% CI = [1.39, 5.01]). Gender, setting, and playing surface emerged as significant determinants of any time loss following lower-extremity injuries in multivariable logistic regression models, and multivariable random effects Poisson regression models also revealed significant differences in recovery durations across levels of these variables for “similarly severe” injuries. Findings suggest that gender, injury setting, playing surface contribute to injury corollaries differently. Similar multi-method approaches are needed to identify determinants of injury severity and recovery in this group.

KEYWORDS:

• Injury epidemiology
• Injury Surveillance
• Soccer
• NATION-Surveillance Program

Acknowledgments

This study would not be possible without the assistance of the many high school athletic trainers who participated in the NATION-SP. This project was funded by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation in cooperation with BioCrossroads. The content of this report is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not reflect the views of the sponsors. All actions pertaining to the study analysis were performed at The George Washington University. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Availability of data and materials

This manuscript contains materials created, compiled or produced by the Datalys Center. As such, authors do not have the liberty to share these data, and the data are only available upon requests made directly to the Datalys Center.

Disclosure statement

Author Avinash Chandran discloses funding from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as the Director of the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program.