[American football injuries in the German Federal League: risk of injuries and pattern of injuries]

Abstract

This prospective study investigated the incidence of injuries in German Bundesliga football based on an evaluation of 2 American football teams in the season and pre-season 1995 to 1997. Certified team physicians and team physiotherapists were the initial medical professionals providing on-site diagnosis, injury documentation and first treatment of all injuries. An injury was defined as minor injury (group I) causing a missing of practice or game up to 1 week, as severe injury (group II) causing a missing of practice or game for more than 1 week or hospitalisation and as fatal injury (group III) if the incident lead to treatment in an intensive care unit or remaining neurological or orthopaedical disability or death. Data were collected so that it was possible to calculate the risk of injury per time of exposition per athlete. The function of the athlete, influences of the weather and the mechanisms of the injuries were registered. Overall 713 injuries were documented. The rate of injury was calculated as 15.7 per 1000 hours of practice and game per athlete. Severe injuries with a loss of practice participation of more than 1 week were found in 94 cases. Fatal injuries were not seen in the period of the study. The knee was found to be the most common site of injury, the ankle ranked second. Our study showed that the risk of injury in American football in German Bundesliga is comparable with soccer or handball.