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In May 2007, 32 college teams headed to Columbus, Ohio for the 2007 College Championships.  While these athletes sought to compete in the highest level of competition in the College division, 10 Ultimate Injury Study researchers (myself included) traveled there seeking something else:  data.  The UIS staff monitored every point of every game, and recorded details of every injury time-out.  We watched for play-ending injuries and injury time-outs.  Our questions of interest:  What types of injuries are happening in ultimate?  What are potential risk factors for injury?  How many of these injuries prevent return to play?

While injury research is relatively new in ultimate (there is a single published study) it is common in other sports. The NFL began recording injuries in their athletes in 1980.  Soon thereafter, the NCAA began the NCAA Injury Surveillance System in 1982.  Through knowledge of injury risk factors and rates, these systems look to reduce injury incidence.
   
Here is what the UIS staff observed: the great majority of injury time-outs were for injuries that allowed return to play within the same day of competition.  Only twice – one instance each for males and females – did an injury halt an athlete’s participation in the Championships.  Among men, the most common reason for an injury time-out was a leg cramp, followed by a contusion (pain from an impact).  30% of injury time-outs among men followed a layout. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, contusions and ankle injuries were the most common reason for an injury time-out.  Among the women, injury time-outs most commonly followed jumping and laying out.

Nancy assisting with the injury study at the 2007 College Championships.	Garret watches for injuries on the sideline of the 2007 College Championships.