Longitudinal Analysis of Subsequent Musculoskeletal Injuries and Predictive Value of Index Injuries in Collegiate...

This study investigates the longitudinal patterns of musculoskeletal injuries in an NCAA field hockey team, emphasizing the predictive value of index injuries on subsequent injury rates. Analyzing a dataset from a women's collegiate field hockey team, this research monitored 810 injuries across 124 athletes from 2008 to 2024. The study categorized injuries as local, nonlocal, and recurrent, employing a negative binomial regression to assess the impact of index injuries on the total number of career injuries. Results indicated that ankle sprains, hamstring strains, and back strains significantly predicted the total number of career injuries. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the majority of subsequent injuries occurred within 69 days of the index injury, suggesting a critical window for targeted interventions. The findings underscore the need for robust longitudinal data and standardized reporting to enhance injury prevention strategies in field hockey.