Injury Epidemiology and Athletic Training Services in Collegiate Tennis

A new study on kinesiology has found that high-performing ITA Division I women's tennis players experience lower injury rates, which may contribute to their sustained success in both singles and doubles competition. The study, conducted over six years (2018-2023, excluding 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), examined the provision and characteristics of athletic training services at ITA Division I women's regional tennis tournaments. The research found that on-site athletic trainers play a critical role in injury assessment, management, taping, and treatment, supporting athlete performance, recovery, and safety during college tennis competition.

Key Takeaways:

• The study examined athletic training services at ITA Division I women's regional tennis tournaments over six years (2018-2023, excluding 2020).
• Participating athletes represented 19 colleges from the Northwestern region of the United States, with a total of 637 players competing in 617 single matches.
• The most common lower extremity treatments were for ankle inversion sprains, toe blisters, and foot blisters, while upper extremity/trunk treatments included wrist compression, lower abdominal strains, and finger blisters.
• A total of 31 medical timeouts were recorded during the tournament, most frequently for ankle injuries.
• The research concluded that higher-performing ITA Division I women's tennis players tend to experience lower injury rates, which may contribute to sustained success in both singles and doubles competition.
• On-site athletic trainers play a critical role in injury assessment, management, taping, and treatment, supporting athlete performance, recovery, and safety during college tennis competition.

Statistics:

• 637 players competed in 617 single matches, with 7 walkovers (4 injury, 3 illness; 1.11%) and 8 retirements (7 injury, 1 illness; 1.27%).
• 293 doubles matches resulted in 6 walkovers (4 injury, 2 illness; 1.94%) with no retirements.
• 31 medical timeouts were recorded during the tournament, most frequently for ankle injuries (7 cases).
• The study found that the most common lower extremity treatments were for ankle inversion sprains, toe blisters, and foot blisters, while upper extremity/trunk treatments included wrist compression, lower abdominal strains, and finger blisters.

Sources:

• Injury Epidemiology and Athletic Training Services in Collegiate Tennis: A Longitudinal Perspective (2018-2023). The Asian Journal of Kinesiology, 2025,27(3):82-90.
• KyungMo Han, Department of Kinesiology, Master of Science in Athletic Training Program, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States.
• Deogjo Jung, Additional author for the research.