MedStar Sports Medicine Is Committed to Injury Prevention for Athletes

Study Published in Injury Epidemiology Reveals Injury Incidents in Boys’ Youth Lacrosse

Baltimore—(February 8, 2016)—MedStar Sports Medicine has participated in a new study, published in Injury Epidemiology on February 1, aimed to keep athletes safe by identifying and preventing the incidence of injuries in boys’ youth lacrosse. The study, including investigator Andrew E. Lincoln, ScD, MS, director of the MedStar Sports Medicine Research Center at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, further demonstrates MedStar Sports Medicine’s commitment to reducing the rate of injury in athletes.

Participation in youth lacrosse is growing rapidly, but injury data remains limited. Data from this study, utilizing large samples of youth lacrosse players, will aid the development of sports injury prevention strategies to reduce injury incidence and severity.

 To target injury prevention efforts, Dr. Lincoln partnered with lead author Zachary Y. Ker, PhD, MPH, Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention; Shane V. Caswell, PhD, George Mason University, Sports Medicine Assessment, Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory; Aristarque Djoko, MS, Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention; and Thomas P. Dompier, PhD, ATC, Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention.

Aggregate injury and exposure data was collected from 550 boys’ youth lacrosse players, aged 9 to 15 years, from eight leagues in four states. Injury frequencies and rates with 95 perfect confidence intervals were calculated. Rate ratios accounting for clustering within league compared game and practice injury rates.

 The study concluded that boys’ youth lacrosse injury rate was higher than those previously reported, but may be more precise given the larger sample. The large proportion of equipment contact injuries demonstrates the need to adopt currently available coaching instruction and age-appropriate US Lacrosse rules that could better protect youth players.

 “This is the first report from a national sample of boys’ youth lacrosse injuries,” said Dr. Lincoln. “The findings suggest the need to examine the use of age-appropriate rules and proper teaching of body checking skills in the boys’ game. We look forward to sharing these findings with our partners at US Lacrosse and their Sports Science and Safety Committee.” 

The study was sponsored by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment.

To view a full summary of the study titled, “The epidemiology of boys’ youth lacrosse injuries in the 2015 season,” click here.

About MedStar Sports Medicine

MedStar Sports Medicine, an initiative integrated throughout MedStar Health, is one of the premier sports medicine programs in the country. Over the past 30 years, MedStar Sports Medicine has grown to include more than 36 physicians, 23 certified athletic trainers and a network of therapists, nutritionists, and support staff at MedStar’s ten hospitals and diversified services. Focused on patient care, education, research and team relationships, this network of medical professionals is dedicated to enhancing the health and performance of all active people. More than 40 sports organizations, including the Baltimore Ravens, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Baltimore Blast, and US Lacrosse, have chosen MedStar Sports Medicine as their official medical team. Visit us at MedStarSportsMed.org, or call 888-44-SPORT (888-447-7678).

About MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit, 223-bed acute care teaching hospital with a strong emphasis on cardiac care, orthopaedics and sports medicine. With roots stemming back to 1854, MedStar Union Memorial has provided high quality care for 160 years. As one of the region's top specialty hospitals, MedStar Union Memorial is home to: The Curtis National Hand Center, the only hand center designated by Congress as The National Center for the Treatment of Hand and Upper Extremity; MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute, a premier cardiovascular program in the mid-Atlantic, aligned with Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute, the nation’s #1 heart program; and MedStar Union Memorial Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, the oldest hospital based Sports Medicine Program in Maryland (founded in 1979). In addition, MedStar Union Memorial offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services including oncology, diabetes and endocrinology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery and palliative care.

MedStar Union Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC). It is the first hospital in Baltimore to receive spine certification by TJC, and the first in the state of Maryland to receive advanced certification for palliative care. MedStar Union Memorial is also TJC-certified in hip and knee replacement and CARF-accredited in Curtis Work Rehabilitation Services, and has been designated as a Primary Stroke Center and the Hand Trauma Center for Maryland.

MedStar Union Memorial is a proud member of MedStar Health, a non-profit, regional health care system with 10 hospitals and more than 20 other health-related services in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., area.

For more information, visit MedStarUnionMemorial.org.