Injuries in Canadian high school boys' collision sports: insights across football, ice hockey, lacrosse, and rugby

Background: Collision sport participation rates among high school youth in Canada are high. While participation is beneficial for physical and mental well-being, the rates of injury in these sports are high. Aims: This study aims to compare injury rates and profiles across four common youth collision sports (ice hockey, tackle football, lacrosse, rugby). Methods: Data from a cross-sectional questionnaire of 2029 high school youth were used to identify male collision sport participants to be included in this secondary analysis (n = 360). Results: Of the 2029 students who completed the questionnaire, 360 participated in collision-based sports [Ages: 14 (5%), 15 (41%), 16 (25%), 17 (26%), 18 (3%)]. The rates of injury ranged from 12.7 injuries/100 participants/year (rugby) to 33.1 injuries/100 participants/year (ice hockey). Concussion rates ranged from 12.4 (football) to 15.8 (ice hockey) concussions/100 participants/year. Similarities existed in the profile of injuries between sports, with most injuries occurring due to contact with another player (range 57.0% to 87.5%). Injuries to the head (33.3%), wrist/hand (16.0%), shoulder (12.8%), and knee (12.0%) were the most prevalent injury type. Substantial differences in previous playing experience existed between sports. Discussion: The high rate of injury and concussion reported across each of these sports highlights the need for the introduction of primary prevention strategies in these sports aimed to reduce the risk of injury.