Epidemiology Of Injuries In National Collegiate Athletic Association Women'S Volleyball: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019

Context: Women's volleyball is a globally popular sport with widespread participation at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level.Background: Routine examinations of NCAA women's volleyball injuries are important for recognizing emerging injury-related patterns in this population.Methods: Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 athletic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differences in injury rates.Results: The overall injury rate was 6.73 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Knee (14.6%) and ankle (13.8%) injuries accounted for the largest proportion of all reported injuries, and most injuries were attributed to overuse (26.1%) or non-contact (22.7%) mechanisms. Lateral ankle ligament complex tears (11.1%) and concussions (7.3%) were the most commonly reported specific injury.Summary: Results indicate an increasing burden of practice-related injuries and the need to further examine overuse injuries. Lower-extremity injury prevention strategies and mechanisms of concussion also warrant further attention.