Epidemiology of Injuries in High School Tennis Players.

CONTEXT: As the popularity of tennis increases, so does the rate of injuries experienced by high-school tennis athletes. There is a lack of data on injuries experienced by these athletes, which is needed to inform healthcare professionals of risk and injuries. This study aimed to quantify injury rates among high school tennis players.

DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study via secondary analysis of a national data set.

METHODS

The National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network (NATION) captured injury data submitted by athletic trainers at 147 high schools in 26 states. The study data were on high school tennis players at participating schools during the 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 seasons. We assessed differences by sex, season (preseason, regular, postseason, out of season), events (practice or competition), and body region. Injury rates and time lost to injury were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Girls were 1.55 times more likely to have an injury (RR = 1.55, 95% CL, 1.23-1.96). Hand/wrist injuries were the most common injury location for both boys and girls (26.05% and 19.43%, respectively), and contusion was the most common injury (27.73% and 20.57%, respectively). Girls had twice the rate of ankle injuries compared with boys (RR = 2.11 [1.14-3.92], P = .02). Athletes had more time loss in the regular season compared with preseason (13.4% vs 5.0%, P = .02) and from matches compared with practice (15.9% vs 6.7%, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Among high school tennis players, girls were more likely to experience an injury compared with boys. We identified specific injury patterns among high school players (ie, hand/wrist injuries and contusions). We found equivalent injury rates between competition and practice.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.