Christy L Collins’s research while affiliated with Indiana University Indianapolis and other places

Background: We aimed to examine the epidemiology of concussions within high school (HS) boys' and girls' sports, and to assess the incidence of concussion within HS sports during the timespan inclusive of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We analyzed data captured within High School Reporting Information Online (HS RIO) during 2018/19-2022/23. Injury counts, rates (enumerated per 10,000 athlete-exposures (AEs)), and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics by sport, event type, injury mechanism, and injury history. Injury rate ratios (IRR) and accompanying 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate differential injury incidence across event types and sports. Results: A total of 4663 concussions were reported during the study period (Rate = 3.50 per 10,000 AEs). Overall rates were highest in boys' football (8.22 per 10,000 AEs) and girls' soccer (6.11 per 10,000 AEs). Among sex-comparable sports, overall concussion rates were higher in girls' sports as compared with boys' sports (IRR = 2.15; 95%CI = [1.94, 2.37]). Concussion rates fluctuated across the study period and were lower during the COVID-19-impacted seasons, as compared with neighboring years. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the necessity for continuous surveillance of concussions in HS sports and suggest that concussion incidence in girls' sports warrants targeted attention. Impact: Sport-related concussions are a significant concern, particularly in youth athletics, with changes to concussion management and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating a re-evaluation of concussion incidence and management in high school sports. In this surveillance study (2018/19-2022/23), boys' football and girls' soccer had the highest concussion rates, with a decrease in incidence observed during the COVID-19 pandemic as compared with surrounding years. The incidence of concussions in girls' sports requires increased scrutiny, especially due to an overall increase in incidence density observed after an initial decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background Regular epidemiological investigations are needed to investigate factors associated with low back injuries (LBIs) in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports and to inform injury prevention and rehabilitation. Purpose To describe the epidemiology of LBIs in NCAA sports. Study Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods Exposure and LBI data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2009-10 through 2018-19 academic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were described by sport, sex, event type (competition, practice), season segment, time loss (>1 day), history (recurrent, new), chronicity, injury mechanism, diagnosis, and activity. Injury rate ratios (IRRs) were used to evaluate differential injury rates, and injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were used to assess differential injury distributions. Effect estimates (IRRs, IPRs) with 95% CIs excluding 1.0 were deemed statistically significant. Results During the study period, 2629 LBIs from 12,213,285 athlete-exposures (AEs) were reported to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (2.15 LBIs per 10,000 AEs). Rates were highest in women's gymnastics (5.39 per 10,000 AEs), men's tennis (3.39 per 10,000 AEs), and women's volleyball (3.38 per 10,000 AEs). Among sex-comparable sports, rates were higher in men's (compared with women’s) basketball and cross country. Competition injury rates were >2 times as high as practice rates in men's sports; no difference was found in injury rates by event type in women's sports. Chronic LBIs were more prevalent in women's sports (compared with men’s) (IPR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29-1.76), as were recurrent injuries (IPR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05-1.46). Conclusion Overall, LBI rates were similar in men's sports and women's sports; injuries were most often attributed to noncontact and overuse. LBI rates across event type varied by sport, with notable differences in women's sports. Future research into LBI risk factors and prevention programs that emphasize proper technique, training, and recovery, especially in practice settings, could be beneficial to reducing the burden of lumbar spine injuries in NCAA athletes.

Objective To describe the epidemiology of body checking injuries in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men's Ice Hockey. Design Secondary data analysis of historical cohort data. Setting A convenience sample of injuries in NCAA Men's Ice Hockey during the 2009/10 to 2019/20 academic years. Patients (or Participants) NCAA student-athletes. Independent Variables Event type, season, time loss, body part, diagnosis, player position, and mechanism. Main Outcome Measures This study examined injuries that occurred during practice or competition, regardless of time loss, reported to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used. The injury rate and proportion ratios with 95% confidence intervals were also constructed. Three independent logistic regression models were constructed to examine differential odds of time loss (≥1 day; TL) injury and the 2 most common injuries, between body checking injuries and all other injuries. Results Overall, 1290 body checking injuries (rate = 1.59/1000 athlete-exposures) were reported during the study period. Most were attributed to the upper extremity (42%) or head/neck (27%). The competition injury rate generally decreased after 2012/13. After adjusting for covariates, odds of (1) a TL injury was lower and (2) an acromioclavicular sprain was higher among body checking injuries as compared with injuries attributed to all other activities. Odds of concussion was not associated with body checking injuries. Conclusions Body checking injuries were frequently attributed to the head/neck and upper extremities, and the rate of these injuries during competition appeared to be decreasing. Still, improvements in helmet and shoulder pad technology may further improve health and safety.