Manpower Loss in Football: A 12-Year Study at The Pennsylvania State University

In brief: All the injuries and illnesses that resulted in days lost from football participation were tabulated for a 12-year period. Each occurrence (2,186) and the number of days lost (11,730) were ranked in 11 categories. Knee injuries (495) were the most numerous and resulted in the most lost days (4,426). The ankle category ranked second in both groups. Illness did not contribute significantly in either group. Games produced 33% of all injuries; more than 70% of head injuries occurred during games but only 14.3% of strains occurred during games. Time-loss knee injuries occurred in 18% of the players; 93 surgical procedures were performed, and there were 13 cases of repeat knee surgery.