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The NCAA News - News and FeaturesJune 8, 1998
Researchers release latest catastrophic-injury reportThe most recent report from the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research reflects the traditionally low rate of serious injury and death in college wrestling but notes that developments from last fall will affect the next report. The 15th annual report, which includes data through the 1996-97 academic year, discussed wrestling on the high-school and college levels. "High-school wrestling ... should receive close attention," said the report, written by Frederick O. Mueller and Robert C. Cantu. "(High-school) wrestling has been associated with 33 direct catastrophic injuries during the past 15 years, but the injury rate per 100,000 participants is lower than both gymnastics and ice hockey. "Due to the fact that college wrestling was associated with only one catastrophic injury during this same time period, continued research should be focused on the high-school level. It is important to note that during the 1997-98 school year, three college wrestlers died while trying to make weight. Major rules changes have taken place and these changes will be given full attention in the next report." The report recommended that wrestling coaches should be experienced in the teaching of the proper skills of wrestling and should attend clinics to keep updated on new teaching techniques and safety measures. "These measures are important in all sports," the report said, "but there are a number of contact sports, like wrestling, where the experience and training of the coach is of utmost importance." The report also said that "it should also be emphasized that wrestling coaches need to be aware of the dangers associated with athletes making weight. Improper weight reduction can lead to serious injuries and death." Gymnastics, ice hockey, swimming, and track and field also were mentioned in the discussion section of the report. "Men's and women's gymnastics were associated with high injury rates at both the high-school and college levels," the report said. "Gymnastics needs additional study at both levels of competition. Both levels have seen a dramatic participation reduction and this trend may continue with the major emphasis being in private clubs." The report noted that the number of ice hockey injuries is low but that the rate per 100,000 is high compared to other sports. "Ice hockey catastrophic injuries usually occur when an athlete is struck from behind by an opponent and makes contact with the crown of his/her head and the boards surrounding the rink," the report said. The authors cited a Canadian study that recommended enforcement of current rules (and consideration of new ones) against pushing or checking from behind, improvement of the strength of neck muscles, education of players concerning the risk of neck injuries, and continued epidemiological research. Mueller and Cantu noted that catastrophic injuries in swimming have been reduced by high-school and college efforts to eliminate the racing dive in the shallow end of pools. "There has not been a high-school swimming direct catastrophic injury in the last seven years or a college injury for the last 14 years," the report said. The greatest number of catastrophic injuries occurs in football, although the report notes that rates are higher in gymnastics and ice hockey. It also noted a continuation of a trend in the reduction of football fatalities and non-fatal catastrophic injuries since 1976.
Direct injuriesThe number of direct injuries per 100,000 participants for college sports from 1982-83 through 1996-97: Males
Indirect injuriesThe number of indirect injuries per 100,000 participants for college sports from 1982-83 through 1996-97: Males
Other highlightsRecommendations for the prevention of catastrophic injuries, as noted in the 15th annual report by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research: 1. Medical examinations and a medical history should be mandatory before an athlete is permitted to compete. 2. All personnel concerned with training athletes should emphasize proper, gradual and complete physical conditioning in order to provide the athlete with optimal readiness for the rigors of the sport. 3. Every school should strive to have a team trainer who is a regular member of the faculty and is adequately prepared and qualified. There should be a written emergency procedure plan to deal with the possibility of catastrophic injuries. 4. There should be an emphasis on employing well-trained athletics personnel, providing excellent facilities and securing the safest and best equipment available. 5. There should be strict enforcement of game rules and administrative regulations should be enforced to protect the health of the athlete. Coaches and school officials must support the game officials in their conduct of the contests. 6. Coaches should know and have the ability to teach the proper fundamental skills of the sport. This recommendation includes all sports and not only football. The proper fundamentals of blocking and tackling should be emphasized to help reduce head and neck injuries in football. Keep the head out of football. 7. There should be continued safety research in athletics. 8. Strict enforcement of the rules of the game by both coaches and game officials will help reduce serious injuries. 9. When an athlete has experienced or shown signs of head trauma (loss of consciousness, visual disturbance, headache, inability to walk correctly, obvious disorientation, memory loss), he or she should receive immediate medical attention and should not be allowed to return to practice or competition without permission from the proper medical authorities. It is important for a physician to observe the head-injured athlete for several days after the injury. 10. Athletes and their parents should be warned of the risk of injuries. 11. Coaches should not be hired if they do not have the training and experience needed to teach the skills of the sport and to properly train and develop the athletes for competition. 12. Weight loss in wrestling to make weight for a match can be dangerous and cause serious injury or death. Coaches should be aware of safety precautions and rules associated with this practice. |