Created in 2016, the Center is devoted to research, education, collaboration, policy development, and best practice guidelines that benefit the safety and wellness of lacrosse players, with a particular focus on youth players. 

The Center embraces an athlete-centered model, ensuring that all research, education, and support is focused on benefiting the lacrosse athlete and the promotion of safe environments for enjoying lacrosse. 

Commotio cordis is a Latin term, meaning “agitation of the heart.” It’s a rare, but serious, medical condition that is caused by high-impact trauma to the chest, including by a projectile such as a lacrosse ball or baseball. This impact can cause the heart to change its normal rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Immediate CPR and defibrillation is necessary to restore the heart rhythm.

The best way to reduce the risk of commotio cordis in lacrosse is with the use of chest protection equipment that meets NOCSAE performance standard ND200. USA Lacrosse boys’ and girls’ youth rules, NFHS high school rules, and NCAA men's and women's rules mandate that all goalie chest protectors must meet the NOCSAE standard. Beginning in 2022, it was required that boys’ field players at all levels of play must also wear chest protection that meets the NOCSAE ND200 standard.
 

It’s always important to play by the rules and wear the proper equipment, but even when we do, there’s still a risk of injury in sports. And unfortunately, concussions can be one of those injuries. The good news is that our medical experts have developed and identified resources that can help guide you back to good health. 

In very basic terms, a concussion is an impairment of the brain’s normal function, usually caused by a blow to the head that causes a jarring of the brain. Concussions may cause alterations in cognitive function, vision, eye movement, facial movement, or speech.

Having a written concussion management plan is a recommended first step. USA Lacrosse has outlined the important components that should be part of your local plan.
 

USA Lacrosse’s Athlete Protection & Safety program establishes policies, training and background screening requirements, reporting procedures, and other measures addressing athlete protection and the prevention of abuse and misconduct within sport. 
 

Learn More Here

Mental health is important in all aspects of life, and athletics is no exception. We know that good mental health can help athletes to perform at their best, but we also know that when athletes struggle with mental health, it can negatively impact performance. Fortunately, there have been big strides made in mental health awareness among athletes in recent years, but there is more work to be done.  
 

As longstanding partners, USA Lacrosse and MedStar Health have a history of multi-faceted, in-depth collaboration aimed at informing and educating members of the lacrosse community about matters related to health and safety.

Through the years, subject-matter experts from MedStar Health, USA Lacrosse's official medical partner, have provided guidance on issues ranging from injury prevention and recovery, to strength and conditioning, as well as many other topics related to lacrosse sports medicine.

See Video Here

MedStar Health Resources

• The Growing Importance of Lacrosse-Specific Research and Science
• Low Back Pain and Stress Fractures in the Young Lacrosse Athlete 
• Podcast: USA Lacrosse’s Caitlin Kelley Discusses Sports Specialization 
• Lacrosse Health: A Better Understanding of Lacrosse Injuries 

The dedicated volunteers on the USA Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety Committee function as an advisory group for the Center and provide safety education leadership for the entire lacrosse community. Through the years, USA Lacrosse has utilized the broad range of expertise among the committee members to help develop best practices, guidelines, and position statements that educate and support the lacrosse community.

Bridging the gap between scientific research and sport is accomplished by generating new knowledge, translating existing evidence, and applying this information to lacrosse. The Center is committed to being involved with innovative, lacrosse-specific research that supports its three foundational pillars.

Since the launch of USA Lacrosse in 1998, our organization has invested nearly $2 million in health and safety related research funding to improve the well-being of lacrosse participants at all levels of play.

Research Resources & Archive
▪ High School Annual Injury Reports - Datalys Center
▪ NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (ISP)
▪ 2019 Research Report: Summaries of Funded Research
▪ 2018 Research Report: Summaries of Funded Research
▪ 2017 Research Report: Summaries of Funded Research
▪ Research Bibliography (coming soon)