CC2022: Validity of Research Based on Public Data in Sports Medicine: A Quantitative Assessment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in the National Football League (May 2022)-CC2022: Validity of Research Based on Public Data in Sports Medicine: A Quantitative Assessment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in the National Football League (May 2022)

CC2022: Validity of Research Based on Public Data in Sports Medicine: A Quantitative Assessment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in the National Football League (May 2022)

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A systematic review of publicly obtained data (POD) studies on musculoskeletal injuries in NFL athletes, with a focus on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, found significant limitations and biases in the accuracy and reporting of these studies. Out of the 42 identified POD studies, only 66% of ACL injuries in NFL players were captured by these studies, with capture rates varying between 31% and 90%. The studies showed a bias towards capturing injuries in skill athletes (e.g., running backs, wide receivers) and underreported injuries in linemen. POD studies were also found to provide limited information on injury mechanism, playing surface, timing of the injury, and other relevant factors. These limitations suggest that conducting research solely based on publicly obtained sources in sports medicine may not accurately represent the true incidence and severity of injuries. The study highlights the need for caution in interpreting and relying on research that utilizes publicly obtained injury data, and urges journal reviewers, editors, and readers to critically analyze and evaluate the limitations and biases of such studies.

Keywords

systematic review

publicly obtained data

musculoskeletal injuries

NFL athletes

ACL injuries

limitations

biases

capture rates

injury mechanism

sports medicine