| Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence and etiology of groin injuries
during game-related college football across artificial and natural grass surfaces. Methods:
Athletes from 41 universities in Football Bowl Subdivision conferences were evaluated over 16
seasons. Outcomes of interest included injury severity and injury category. Injury incidence rates
were calculated per 10 games [(number of injuries รท number of games) x 10]. Results: Of the
2,243 games documented, 1,061 were played on artificial turf and 1,182 were played on natural
grass. A total of 111 adductor-related groin injuries were documented (48 on artificial turf, 63 on
natural grass). Conclusion: No significant surface effects by playing surface for any outcome of
interest were found. For adductor-related groin trauma, heavyweight artificial turf appears as safe
as natural grass.
Keywords: Adductor, Surface Trauma, Artificial Turf, Natural Grass, Groin Injury |