Sports Topics > Physical Therapy & Sport Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention

Contributed by Tony Schneider, Registered Physical Therapist
Colorado Sports & Spine Center

Over the past several years there have been numerous studies and research conducted regarding the incidence of high school sports injuries. A recent study conducted by the National Athletic Training Association identified ten high school sports and studied the incidence of injury over a three-year period. The following is a summary of some of these interesting findings:

• An average of 55.5 percent of the injuries occurred during practice sessions.
• Only boys’ (59.3 percent) and girls’ (57 percent) soccer showed a larger proportion of reported injuries in games than practices.
• Football had the highest rate of injury per 1,000 athlete exposures (8.1), while volleyball showed the lowest rate (1.7).
• The largest proportion of fractures came from boys’ baseball (8.8 percent), basketball (8.6 percent), soccer (8.5 percent), and softball (8.4 percent).
• More than 73 percent of injuries restricted players fewer than eight days.
• The highest frequency of knee injuries appeared in girls’ soccer (19.4 percent), while baseball was the lowest (10.5 percent).
• The largest proportion of surgeries reported among the ten sports was girls’ basketball (4.0 percent) and the lowest was field hockey (1.2 percent).
• Of the injuries requiring surgery, 60.3 percent were to the knee.
• Field hockey was the only sport where sprains and strains accounted for less than 50 percent of the total injuries.
After looking at the above list, it is easy to see the need for an effective, quality sports injury prevention and treatment program within our community.

Key Points Based On Such Data

• Each sport has an inherent risk based on the nature of the game and activity.
• The need for an injury prevention program should be in place and accessible for athletes during both practice and game events.
• The need for skilled professionals in the school system to develop and maintain injury prevention and treatment programs.
• Sports injuries cannot be completely eliminated, but with consistent and professional evaluation of yearly injury trends can provide a foundation for the development and evaluation of injury prevention strategies.
• There are vast differences in the incidence, frequency and mechanism of injury between male and female high school athletes.
• The need for communication and working together between parents, coaches, trainers, physical therapists, and physicians to benefit the high school athlete.

What Resources Do We Have In Our Community To Accomplish The Needs Stated Above?

• We have an excellent pool of physicians, therapists and athletic trainers in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas.
• We have a network of clinics that provide service to all residents of Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Monument, Woodland Park, and Canon City.
• We provide athletic training services to Academy School District 20, Lewis-Palmer District 38, and Mesa Ridge High School.
• Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group has provided physician coverage to high school athletes and events for years and are an excellent resource for coaches, players and parents.
• We have conducted pre-season physicals for area high school students with proceeds going towards athletic training for the past five years.
• Our athletic trainers are currently tracking statistical records of all injuries to help analyze injury trends and help prevent future injuries.

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