Injuries to the head and face in women's collegiate field hockey

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence and severity of head and facial injuries in female collegiate field hockey players.

Design: Prospective, survey-based study.

Setting and participants: Certified athletic trainers and athletes at 6 Division I institutions. INTERVENTIONS/ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Head and facial injuries were documented during practices and games during 2 women's field hockey seasons.

Main outcome measurements: The total number of incidents that resulted in a head or facial injury, the total number of head and facial injuries, the injury type, location, and source, and the amount of time the injured athlete lost from play. When the injury occurred, either in a game or practice, was documented in year 2.

Results: A total of 253 student-athlete seasons (each season that a player competed was considered 1 student-athlete season) were completed. A total of 57 incidents occurred with 62 head and facial injuries reported (5 incidents yielded 2 injuries each). Most injuries were due to contact with the ball (56%); the majority of injuries were lacerations (32%). A relatively high number of facial fractures were reported (13%). Sixty-five percent of the injuries resulted in less than 1-day time loss and would not have been reportable in many traditional injury surveillance systems.

Conclusions: The high number and rate of serious or potentially serious injuries occurring to the head and face in female collegiate field hockey players is a concern. Prevention measures, including better protective equipment for the head and face, may help reduce future head and facial injuries in these athletes.