Risk Factors for Injury in High School Football Players

BackgroundMany studies have reported the frequency and types of injuries in high school football players. However, few have assessed the relationship between player characteristics and risk of injury.PurposeTo describe the epidemiologic characteristics of and risk factors for injury in high school football players and to determine whether players’ characteristics could be used to predict subsequent injury.Study DesignProspective cohort study.MethodsThis study was part of a 2-year prospective investigation (1998 to 1999) of risk factors for injury in 717 (343 in the 1998 season and 374 in the 1999 season) high school football players in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, School District. Player characteristics (playing experience, position, injury history) and physical parameters (body mass index, weight, height, grip strength) were measured at the beginning of each season. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether any of the baseline variables were associated with the odds of subsequent injury....