Epidemiology Of Injuries In United States High School Track And Field Jumping Events From 2008 - 2019

Background: Reports of injury characteristics of high school track and field jumping athletes in the United States are limited. The biomechanical and coordination challenges inherent to the take-off, flight, and landing phases of jumping events may predispose athletes to a variety of injuries. The purpose of this descriptive epidemiological study was to report injury rates and patterns in US high school track and field jumping athletes. Methods: Data from the National High School Sports Related Injury Surveillance System, and High School Reporting Information Online (RIO) from 2008-2019 were analyzed, including athletic trainer reported injuries and athletic exposures (AEs). An AE was defined as one athlete participating in one school-sanctioned practice or competition. Jumping events included high jump, long jump, triple jump, and pole vault. Injury rate ratios (IRR) and injury proportion ratios (IPR) were calculated by sex. Results: A total of 727 track and field injuries due to a jumping event occurred during 5,486,279 AEs for a jumping-related injury rate of 1.33 injuries/10,000 AEs. Overall, the rate of jumping-related injuries was higher in competition than in practice (IRR = 2.63, 95% CI 2.25-3.06). Injury rates were higher in practice for female athletes than male athletes (IRR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.23-1.86). By anatomical location, jumping-related injuries were reported in the thigh (20.3%) ankle (18.2%), knee (16.1%), and lower leg (11.0%). The most common types of jumping-related injuries were muscle strain (29.0%) and ligament sprain (21.2%). Compared to males, females sustained a higher proportion of ankle injuries (IPR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.15-2.32) and ligament sprains (IPR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.16-2.09). Most athletes returned to sport within one week (43.1%, n = 312) or three weeks (34.7%, n = 243). Few jumping-related injuries resulted in medical disqualification for the season (4.4%, n = 31) or involved surgery (4.9%, n = 35). Conclusion: Compared to male jumpers, female jumpers may have a greater propensity for ankle injuries and ligament sprains and may be at higher risk for injuries even in practice. Findings suggest the need to develop more targeted injury prevention and rehabilitation programs, particularly for high school female track and field athletes.