A study in American Journal of Sports Medicine found that the risk of injury among collegiate soccer players has decreased over time.
The researchers analyzed data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance System to identify trends in injury incidence and severity between two periods: 1990 to 1996 and 2004 to 2009. They paid particular attention to rates of incidence and severity in relation to gender.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Overall, injury rates were significantly lower in the 2004 to 2009 cohort when compared with the earlier cohort; this low injury rate was found in almost every injury category studied.
2. There was only one significant difference in regards to gender: noncontact injuries. Men experienced a significant increase in the rate of these injuries between the two time periods, while women experienced a significant decrease.
3. The researchers suggest that "public health efforts should promote the use of this surveillance system to better inform and evaluate injury prevention practices and policies directed toward player safety."