Principles of Research

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Ice Hockey Injuries






Michael J. Stuart MD USA Hockey Chief Medical
Officer Safety and Protective Equipment
Committee ,
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ICE HOCKEY INJURIES
a finesse sport that requires dexterity,
speed and power
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ICE HOCKEY INJURIES
a violent sport played with clubs, a bullet,
and knives
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1. Have Fun 2. Play Hard 3. Play Smart 4.
Play Fair
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1. Have Fun 2. Play Hard 3. Play Smart 4.
Play Fair
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1. Have Fun 2. Play Hard 3. Play Smart 4.
Play Fair
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1. Have Fun 2. Play Hard 3. Play Smart 4.
Play Fair
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NEVER !
X Deliver a hit to the head X Check from
behind X Use your stick as a weapon X Leave
your feet to give a check X Drop your head near
the boards
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INJURY RISK
n level of participation n game versus practice
exposure n protective equipment n player
position n violent behavior n personal
susceptibility (pre-existing injury and style of
play)
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INJURY RISK
n Risk of injury in games increases with each
higher level of participation.
Division Injuries per 1,000
hours Mite (n2) 0.8 Squirt
(n10) 0.6 Peewee (n44) 3.8 Bantam
(n32) 3.0 High School (n9) 9.3
Junior A 96.1
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INJURY RISK
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INJURY RISK
Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey. A Three-Year
Prospective Study
n Game injury rate of 96.1 per 1000 player
game-hours n Players were ??? more likely to
be injured in a game as compared to a practice.
Stuart MJ Smith AM, AJSM 1995
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INJURY RISK
Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey. A Three-Year
Prospective Study
n Game injury rate of 96.1 per 1000 player
game-hours n Players were 25x more likely to
be injured in a game as compared to a practice.
Stuart MJ Smith AM, AJSM 1995
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INJURY RISK
3 body mass 3 strength 3 speed 3 size
variation 3 intensity of competition 3 violent
attitudes 3 illegal activities
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INJURY RISK
Prevention is the Key
3 Preseason screening examination 3
Sports-specific conditioning 3 Focused stretching
strength training programs
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INJURY RISK
3 enforcement of existing rules 3 sportsmanship
mutual respect 3 body contact body control
skills 3 post-injury evaluation
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INJURY RISK
3 full facial protection 3 custom mouthpiece 3
improvement in equipment 3 rink modifications l
increased ice surface size l force-dissipating
boards