Objective To examine gender differences in lower limb injury in North Carolina high school athletes. Method Data were collected on 12 sports in 100 North Carolina high schools from 1996-1999, including athlete's demographic, practice/game participation, and injury information. Lower limb injury was defined as any injury between hip and toes. Injury rate was calculated as the number of injuries divided by the total of athletes practices/games in a specific sport multiplied by 1000. Results Of the total injuries, 50.9% were lower limb injuries, among which 29.96% were knees and 42.57% were ankles. The lower limb injury rate was higher in games than in practices (0.17 vs.0.08, 95%CI=0.15-0.19 vs.0.07-0.09). The highest game injury rates were in football (0.45), boys basketball (0.29), and boys soccer (0.27). While in practice, girls soccer was the highest (0.26), followed by girls volleyball (0.16), and boys basketball (0.10). To assess gender differences, we compared four pairs of sports: soccer, track, basketball and baseball/softball. Female injury rates in practices were higher than male in soccer (RR=3.18, 95%CI=2.77-3.65), track (RR=1.63, 95%CI=1.37-1.95), and baseball/softball (RR=1.25, 95%CI=0.98-1.60), but lower in basketball (RR=0.69, 95%CI=0.58-0.81). For games, females had higher rates in baseball/softball and track (RR=2.91, 95%CI=2.28-3.70; RR=1.61, 95%CI=1.30-1.99), but lower in soccer and basketball (RR=0.91, 95%CI=0.80-1.04; RR=0.88, 95%CI=0.78-0.98). Conclusion The findings suggest that lower limb injury is a serious issue in school sports. It is imperative that we develop effective training strategies to prevent and control lower limb injuries among school athletes, especially female athletes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. describe the gender differences in lower limb injury rates; 2. discuss the lower limb injury issues in school sports; 3. apply the information to the development of lower limb injury prevention and education programs.
Keywords: Injury, Gender
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.