High school football injuries: identifying the risk factors.

This epidemiologic survey of the literature on the factors contributing to the high number of high school football injuries consolidates the current information on the characteristics and risk factors associated with these injuries. To reduce the incidence of knee sprains and strains, the most common injuries to this population, the following preventive recommendations are presented: 1) optimum maintenance of playing fields; 2) use of the soccer-style shoe; 3) noncontact and controlled activities in practice sessions; and 4) increased vigilance over technique during injury-prone preseason practices. The authors conclude that more research into factors such as exposure time and activity at injury will further reduce the risk to the high school football player.