The NCAA has announced that its longstanding Injury Surveillance System will transition from the NCAA national office to the Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention within the next 18 months.

The Datalys Center, located in Indianapolis, is a new national nonprofit research center formed in conjunction with the NCAA, the American College of Sports Medicine and BioCrossroads, which is Indiana’s initiative to grow the life sciences.

The Injury Surveillance System, the largest ongoing collegiate sports injury database in the world, is a 25-year collection of injury and exposure data from a sample of NCAA institutions in a variety of sports. The ISS will continue to monitor injury rates of intercollegiate sports, serving as a resource to the NCAA and its member colleges and universities by supporting sports injury surveillance and research needs. NCAA sport and policy committees have used the data as the underpinning for evidence-based decision-making on health and safety issues.

The NCAA will continue its involvement with sports injury surveillance as the Center’s first collaborative partner.

“By seeding the Datalys Center with some of our tools and injury surveillance capabilities, these resources will now be available to a much broader community,” said Robert Vowels, NCAA vice president for educational services. “In addition, this access and the development of new research services and capabilities will advance our own health and safety efforts in collegiate athletics.”

“The goal of the Datalys Center is to create the leading sports-injury research, data-collection and translation center in the world,” said Troy Hege, president of the Center.  “The data and its translation are the foundation for the development of programs, policies, rules and education aimed at preventing, mitigating and treating sports injuries more effectively. In addition, the Center will be an educational vehicle for sports and exercise medicine and health promotion.”

The Center’s board of directors includes:

•         Marjorie J. Albohm, president-elect, National Athletic Trainers’ Association

•         Irv Bomberger, executive director, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

•         Jim Isch, senior vice president for administration and CFO, NCAA

•         Barry P. Katz, director of the division of biostatistics, department of medicine, Indiana University

•         Jack Swarbrick, partner, Baker & Daniels

•         Robert Vowels, vice president for education services, NCAA

•         James Whitehead, executive vice president/CEO, American College of Sports Medicine

To help NCAA members better understand the goals of the transition, the following Q&A is provided:

What is NCAA’s long-term commitment to the Injury Surveillance System? 

The NCAA’s commitment to injury surveillance for the purposes of advancing student-athlete health and safety has never been stronger. This partnership seeks not only to continue the NCAA’s historical excellence, but also to expand and enhance it by having a greater emphasis on research and data application. As part of NCAA best practices, it continually monitors and reviews its resources and programs for quality and relevance to ensure they are aligned with the Association’s strategic plan. 

How long will the transition take?

The transition of the NCAA’s sports injury surveillance activities will occur over the next 18 months. The goal is to have all injury surveillance services shifted to the Datalys Center by July 2009.

Will the purpose of the ISS change? 

The purpose of the NCAA surveillance efforts will continue to focus on monitoring injury rates of intercollegiate sports, serving as a resource to the NCAA and its member colleges and universities. The NCAA’s relationship with the Datalys Center will allow the Association to more effectively partner with and benefit from the efforts of a growing number of organizations interested in and conducting sports injury surveillance and research nationally. 

Will continuing education training for the 2008-09 academic year occur at the 2008 NATA annual meeting in St. Louis? 

Yes. The NCAA is committed to continuing the education of its current ISS users and providing opportunities to address critical issues and concerns. Registration will open soon.

What will happen to the data we have put into the system through 2009?  

The NCAA will retain ownership and control of all historical data and continue to oversee and govern its use and application. A data transition plan will be developed and communicated to member institutions during the 2008-09 academic year.

Will current ISS users have the opportunity to provide data to the NCAA through its contract with the Datalys Center? 

Yes. The future success of the NCAA’s efforts to advance student-athlete health and safety is predicated on the continued support and involvement of athletic trainers, just as in the past.

Will I be able to continue using the current ISS platform?

The Datalys Center will conduct a needs assessment for NCAA members, committees and current ISS users. The process will include current user input and experts in sports medicine and injury surveillance. The NCAA expects to be presented with surveillance models and options for moving forward based on this assessment by winter 2008. At that time, current ISS users will have a clear understanding of the platform’s future and whether there will be a third-generation collection tool. In any case, a transition plan will be developed to minimize disruption in the athletic training room and maximize continued participation by athletic trainers.

What are the next steps for the Datalys Center and the NCAA?  

The NCAA has signed an 18-month transition agreement with the Datalys Center, which has allowed the Center to begin organizing itself. The first step has been the formation of the Datalys Center’s Board of Directors, which met for the first time in early April. Board members are listed on the Datalys Center’s Web site (www.datalyscenter.org). The next major step is identifying and recruiting a director of research, who will be integrally involved in the transition process and who will help set the strategic direction for the Center. Additional information about this position is at www.datalyscenter.org.

How do I keep updated on progress? 

Visit www.datalyscenter.org and the NCAA Injury Surveillance Web site (www.ncaa.org/ISS) for periodic updates. The ISS staff will also send informational e-mails throughout the transition period.