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College-to-NFL Stadium Turf Transitions as a Risk Factor for Lower Extremity Non-Contact Injuries in Rookie Players:
Bahman Adlou1, John Grace1, Christopher Wilburn1
1Sport Biomechanics Lab, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, 301 Wire Rd, Auburn, AL 36830, USA.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2025
Summary
Playing surface transitions did not significantly impact rookie NFL players' lower extremity non-contact injury (LE-NCI) risk. Injury prevention should focus on position-specific strategies and mid-season monitoring, not surface changes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Injury Epidemiology
Background:
- Lower extremity non-contact injuries (LE-NCIs) are a significant concern in the National Football League (NFL).
- Rookie players face a critical transition period, potentially adapting to new playing surfaces.
- The impact of transitioning between college and NFL home stadium turf types on LE-NCI risk is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if changing home stadium turf type from college to the NFL rookie season influences LE-NCI likelihood.
- To analyze the association between turf transition and LE-NCI risk in elite rookie football players.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 826 first/second-round NFL draft picks (2012-2024).
- Data collected on college/NFL home surfaces, position, college training surface, and rookie LE-NCIs.
- Competing risk analysis and multivariable logistic regression were employed to assess LE-NCI risk.
Main Results:
- 21.2% of rookies sustained an LE-NCI in their first season.
- Skill position players exhibited significantly higher adjusted odds of LE-NCI (AOR = 1.88).
- No specific turf transition type demonstrated a statistically significant association with LE-NCI risk compared to grass-to-grass.
Conclusions:
- Home stadium turf-type transition was not a significant predictor of LE-NCI risk in this rookie cohort.
- Position-specific injury patterns and temporal clustering of injuries (weeks 4-10) are key findings.
- Rookie LE-NCI prevention should prioritize position-specific interventions and mid-season monitoring over surface transition strategies.
