Abstract
Despite growing interest in the biomechanical mechanisms of sports-related concussion,
ice hockey and the youth sport population has not been studied extensively. The purpose
of this pilot study was: 1) to describe the biomechanical measures of head impacts
in youth minor ice hockey players; and, 2) to investigate the influence of player
and game characteristics on the number and magnitude of head impacts. Data was collected
from 13 players from a single competitive Bantam boy's (ages 13–14 years) AAA ice
hockey team using telemetric accelerometers implanted within the players’ helmets
at 27 ice hockey games. The average linear acceleration, rotational acceleration,
Gadd Severity Index and Head Injury Criterion of head impacts were recorded. A significantly
higher number of head impacts per player per game were found for wingers when compared
to centre and defense player positions (df=355, t=3.087, p=0.00218) and for tournament
games when compared to regular season and playoff games (df=355, t=2.641, p=0.086).
A significant difference in rotational acceleration according to player position (F2,1812=4.9551,
p=0.0071) was found. This study is an initial step towards a greater understanding
of head impacts in youth ice hockey.
Key words
concussion - head acceleration - youth athletes - ice hockey
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Correspondence
Nicholas Reed
University of Toronto
Occupational Science and
Occupational Therapy
160-500 University Avenue
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