We demonstrated differences in normative data for lower extremity functional performance during preparticipation physical evaluations across sex and grade levels. The results of this study will allow clinicians to compare sex- and grade-specific functional performances and implement approaches for preventing musculoskeletal injuries in high school-aged athletes.

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Context: Variations in knee-sprain incidence among competition levels are unclear but may help inform prevention strategies in American football players.Objective: To describe the epidemiology of knee sprains in youth, high school, and collegiate football players.Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: Injury and athlete-exposure (AE) data were collected from 3 injury-surveillance programs at the youth, high school, and collegiate competition levels.Patients or Other Participants: Data from 310 youth, 184 high school, and 71 collegiate football team-seasons were collected during the 2012 through 2014 seasons.Main Outcome Measure(s): Knee-sprain rates and risks were calculated for each competition level. Injury rate ratios (IRRs) and risk ratios (RRs) compared knee-sprain rates by competition level. Injury proportion ratios (IPRs) compared differences in surgery needs, recurrence, injury mechanism, and injury activity by competition level.Results: Knee-sprain rates in youth, high school, and collegiate football were 0.16/1000 AEs, 0.25/1000 AEs, and 0.69/1000 AEs, respectively. Knee-sprain rates increased as the competition level increased (high school versus youth: IRR ¼ Conclusions: Knee-sprain incidence was highest in collegiate football. However, level-specific variations in the distributions of knee sprains by injury activity may highlight the need to develop level-specific policies and prevention strategies that ensure safe sports play.Key Words: knee injuries, injury surveillance, injury prevention Key PointsThe risk of knee sprains increased as the competition level increased, with the highest risk occurring in collegiate football players. Total knee-sprain rates and the proportion due to being blocked were higher in collegiate than in youth or high school football athletes; however, a smaller proportion of collegiate knee sprains were due to tackling. Level-specific variations in the distributions of knee sprains by injury activity may highlight the need to develop policies and prevention strategies that ensure safe sports play.

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Background: Many organizations have introduced frameworks to reduce the incidence of football related concussions through proper equipment fitting, coach education, and alteration of tackling technique. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training in a vertical, head up tackling style on the number of head accelerations experienced while tackling in a controlled laboratory situation. The authors hypothesized that training in a head up tackling technique would reduce the severity of head acceleration experienced by participants. Design: Controlled Laboratory Study. Methods: Twenty-four participants (11.5±0.6 years old, 60.5±2.2 in, 110±18.4 lbs.) with previous playing experience completed a one-day training session on tackling technique utilizing a tackling dummy. A subgroup of these participants completed an additional two days of training with a 48 hour retention test. Head accelerations were analyzed at baseline and end of training. Feedback consisted of verbal feedback utilizing the Qualitative Youth Tackling Scale (QYTS) and video tackling playback. Results: A significant reduction in the number of peak linear head accelerations over 10 g and peak rotational head accelerations over 1885 deg/s 2 were found in dummy tackling after training in both the one day and three day training regimens. A significant change in QYTS tackling form score was found between pretest and post-test (p=0.004). Participants with larger steps had a 2.28, 4.42 and 4.14 increased odds ratio of sustaining head accelerations over 10, 15 and 20 g respectively. Conclusions: Training in a vertical, head up tackling style decreased the number of head accelerations over threshold values sustained while tackling; decreased step length may be the driving factor in the effectiveness of this tackling form.