Epidemiology of American Football Injuries at Universities in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND

College-level American football injury data are routinely collected; however, data relating to American football injuries at universities in the United Kingdom have never been reported.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology of UK university American football injuries.

STUDY

DESIGN

Descriptive epidemiology study.

METHODS

An online survey tool was used to collect the injury data of 410 players from 56 UK university teams who participated in the 2014-2015 British Universities and College Sports American football season. Survey data were collected from January to February 2016 and were analyzed to determine the incidence and patterns of injury.

RESULTS

Overall, 710 injuries and 204 concussions were self-reported among the 410 participants, of which 334 (81.5%) were injured and 131 (32.0%) experienced concussion symptoms. The rate of injury per 100 athlete-seasons was greater in defensive players (195.3) than offensive players (155.1). The most common injuries were knee and ankle ligament injuries. Most injuries were classified as severe (time loss of >4 weeks).

CONCLUSION

UK university American football injuries differ markedly from those reported for US colleges. UK university players appear to have less playing experience, greater concussion risks, more severe injuries, and a greater proportion of injuries in defensive players versus offensive players.