INJURIES IN FEMALE COLLEGIATE SWIMMERS DUE TO SWIMMING AND CROSS TRAINING

Objective: To identify and compare the nature and frequency of trainin g and cross-training injuries incurred by members of a women's collegi ate swim team. Design: A longitudinal survey of training-room and medi cal records for 7 years, classifying injuries by diagnosis and time lo st from participation. Setting: Division I women's collegiate swimming program, United States. Participants: All swimmers in a Division I wo men's collegiate swimming program over 7 years, for a total of 68 swim mers. Assessment of Risk Factors: Not applicable. Intervention: Not ap plicable. Main Outcome Measures: ''Injury'' was defined as any contact with a trainer or physician that resulted in evaluation or treatment. Each injury was categorized with respect to (a) activity during which injury was incurred; (b) diagnosis, including body part injured; (c) time lost from participation in practice or competition; and (d) sever ity, i.e., minor (less than or equal to 7 days), moderate (7-21 days), and major (>21 days). An ''Exposure'' was defined as participation in one practice session or competition. Main Results: The overall injury rate per 1,000 exposures per athlete was 2.12; 44% of injuries were d ue to swimming, 44% to cross training, and 11% to activities unrelated to athletics. Cross-training injuries occurred primarily in the lower extremities, while swimming injuries occurred more commonly in the up per extremities. The ratio of upper to lower extremity injuries due to swimming was 3:1, whereas the ratio for cross training was 1:4. Concl usions: Injuries to swimmers occur at a lower rate per exposure than t o other collegiate athletic populations. Swimming injuries occurred pr imarily in the upper extremities, especially the shoulder. Lower extre mity injuries occurred primarily due to cross training. We conclude th at swimming is relatively safe compared to other collegiate sports, bu t special care should be used in designing injury-avoiding cross-train ing programs.