Original Research
Epidemiology of Concussion and Laceration Rates Among Men’s Lacrosse
Athletes
Athletic Training & Sports Health Care
Vol. 2 No. 1 January/February 2010 By Thomas G. Bowman, MEd, ATC, PES; Debbie A. Bradney, DPE, ATC, PES; Thomas P. Dompier, PhD, ATC
ABSTRACT
Concussions and facial lacerations are common injuries in men’s
lacrosse. No data exist comparing injury rates among athletes wearing different
helmet styles. The objective of this study was to determine concussion and
facial laceration rates among men’s lacrosse athletes across helmet
styles. Athletic trainers of National Collegiate Athletic Association
lacrosse-sponsoring institutions completed an online survey following the 2006
and 2007 seasons. The response rate was 25% (110 of 448). Injury rates per
10,000 exposures were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Athletic
trainers reported a total of 301 concussions and 204 lacerations for 8
different helmet styles. The injury rates for concussions in individual helmets
ranged from 1 (CI, 0.0-3.0) to 13 (CI, 7.2-18.9). Injury rates for lacerations
ranged from 2.5 (CI, 0.0-6.0) to 21.9 (CI, 14.3-29.5). The wide range of injury
rates reported illustrate helmet styles may differ in the protection they
provide from concussion and facial lacerations.
AUTHORS
Mr Bowman and Dr Bradney are from the Department of Athletic Training,
Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Va; and Dr Dompier is from the Department of
Physical Education & Athletic Training, University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC.
Originally received August 24, 2009.
Accepted for publication October 8, 2009.
The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the materials
presented herein.
Presented in part at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual
Meeting; June 2008, St Louis, Mo; and at the Mid Atlantic Athletic
Trainers’ Association Annual Clinical Symposium; May 2008, Virginia Beach,
Va.
Address correspondence to Thomas G. Bowman, MEd, ATC, PES, Lynchburg
College, 1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501; e-mail:
Bowman.t@lynchburg.edu.
doi:10.3928/19425864-20091221-05
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