Can We Continue to Improve Injury Statistics in Football?

Abstract

In brief: Football fatality data have been collected since 1931 and catastrophic injury data since 1977. There have been dramatic reductions in both areas, but for the past six years these numbers have remained steady. Some experts in the field of football injury research have stated that further reductions are not possible. The authors argue that efforts should be continued to eliminate these injuries and recommend mandatory medical examinations, rule changes, proper conditioning and equipment, having a physician on the field whenever possible, and continued research to help in this effort.