About NCCSIR

The mission of the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR) is to conduct surveillance of catastrophic injuries and illnesses related to participation in organized sports in the United States at the collegiate, high school, and youth levels of play.  In working through a Consortium for Catastrophic Injury Monitoring, the NCCSIR aims to track cases through a systematic data reporting system that allows for longitudinal investigation of athletes suffering from catastrophic injuries and illnesses.  The goal of the Center is to improve the prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of catastrophic sports-related injuries.

What is a catastrophic injury? 

Catastrophic injuries are defined as: fatalities, injuries that result in permanent functional disability, and serious injuries that result in temporary functional disability with full recovery. Examples include spinal cord injuries, brain bleeds, skull fractures, heat stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, internal organ injuries, exertional sickling, rhabdomyolysis, and commotio cordis. We monitor sudden cardiac arrest/death in athletes even if not directly related to athletics.

We monitor all of the above events at all level of any sport or physical activity.  However, our primary focus is middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes.

For more information on what qualifies as a catastrophic sport injury, please see NCCSIR Eligible Events Definition