title: Epidemiology of Quadriceps Strains in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes, 2009-2010 Through 2014-2015.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few researchers have examined the rates and patterns of quadriceps strains in student-athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the epidemiology of quadriceps strains in 25 NCAA sports during the 2009-2010 through 2014-2015 academic years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive epidemiology study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience sample of NCAA programs from 25 sports during the 2009-2010 through 2014-2015 academic years. Patients or Other Particpants:  Collegiate student-athletes participating in men's and women's NCAA athletics during the 2009-2010 through 2014-2015 academic years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aggregate quadriceps strain injury and exposure data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2009-2010 through 2014-2015 academic years were analyzed. Quadriceps strain injury rates and injury rate ratios (IRRs) were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 517 quadriceps strains were reported, resulting in an injury rate of 1.07/10 000 athlete-exposures (AEs). The sports with the highest overall quadriceps strain rates were women's soccer (5.61/10 000 AEs), men's soccer (2.52/10 000 AEs), women's indoor track (2.24/10 000 AEs), and women's softball (2.15/10 000 AEs). Across sex-comparable sports, women had a higher rate of quadriceps strains than men overall (1.97 versus 0.65/10 000 AEs; IRR = 3.03; 95% CI = 2.45, 3.76). The majority of quadriceps strains were sustained during practice (77.8%). However, the quadriceps strain rate was higher during competition than during practice (1.29 versus 1.02/10 000 AEs; IRR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.56). Most quadriceps strains occurred in the preseason (57.8%), and rates were higher during the preseason compared with the regular season (2.29 versus 0.63/10 000 AEs; IRR = 3.60; 95% CI = 3.02, 4.30). Common injury mechanisms were noncontact (63.2%) and overuse (21.9%). Most quadriceps strains restricted participation by less than 1 week (79.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Across 25 sports, higher quadriceps strain rates were found in women versus men, in competitions versus practices, and in the preseason versus the regular season. Most quadriceps strains were minor in severity, although further surveillance is needed to better examine the risk factors associated with incidence and severity.
authors.affiliation: Human Movement Science Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Eckard
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Zachary Y
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Darin A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Padua
authors.affiliation: Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention, Inc, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Aristarque
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Djoko
authors.affiliation: Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention, Inc, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Dompier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000293:injuries*; D013177:Sports / Q000145:classification; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: collegiate sports; injury prevention; injury surveillance