Researchers warn of increasing risk of lacrosse injury

Columbus, OH – As lacrosse gains popularity among youth, the risk of injury increases, a recent study states.

The overall injury rate to high school lacrosse players from 2008 to 2012 was 20 per 10,000 competitions and practices, according to a press release from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which conducted the study along with the Colorado School of Public Health.

The most common injury diagnosis was sprains or strains, accounting for 38 percent of all injuries, followed by concussions at more than 22 percent, the press release states.

“Lacrosse is becoming more and more popular across the United States,” Lara McKenzie, study author and CIRP principal investigator, said in the press release. “We see injuries in the sport every day during the season. Our research shows that we need to do more and can do more to prevent these injuries.”

The study was published online July 23 in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.