scholarly journals Safe-Play Knowledge, Aggression, and Head-Impact Biomechanics in Adolescent Ice Hockey Players

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 366-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne D. Schmidt ◽  
Alice F. Pierce ◽  
Kevin M. Guskiewicz ◽  
Johna K. Register-Mihalik ◽  
Derek N. Pamukoff ◽  
...  

Context: Addressing safe-play knowledge and player aggression could potentially improve ice hockey sport safety. Objectives: To compare (1) safe-play knowledge and aggression between male and female adolescent ice hockey players and (2) head-impact frequency and severity between players with high and low levels of safe-play knowledge and aggression during practices and games. Design: Cohort study. Setting: On field. Patients or Other Participants: Forty-one male (n = 29) and female (n = 12) adolescent ice hockey players. Intervention(s): Players completed the Safe Play Questionnaire (0 = less knowledge, 7 = most knowledge) and Competitive Aggressiveness and Anger Scale (12 = less aggressive, 60 = most aggressive) at midseason. Aggressive penalty minutes were recorded throughout the season. The Head Impact Telemetry System was used to capture head-impact frequency and severity (linear acceleration [g], rotational acceleration [rad/s2], Head Impact Technology severity profile) at practices and games. Main Outcome Measure(s): One-way analyses of variance were used to compare safe play knowledge and aggression between sexes. Players were categorized as having high or low safe-play knowledge and aggression using a median split. A 2 × 2 mixed-model analysis of variance was used to compare head-impact frequency, and random-intercept general linear models were used to compare head-impact severity between groups (high, low) and event types (practice, game). Results: Boys (5.8 of 7 total; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.3, 6.3) had a trend toward better safe-play knowledge compared with girls (4.9 of 7 total; 95% CI = 3.9, 5.9; F1,36 = 3.40, P = .073). Less aggressive male players sustained significantly lower head rotational accelerations during practices (1512.8 rad/s2, 95% CI = 1397.3, 1637.6 rad/s2) versus games (1754.8 rad/s2, 95% CI = 1623.9, 1896.2 rad/s2) and versus high-aggression players during practices (1773.5 rad/s2, 95% CI = 1607.9, 1956.3 rad/s2; F1,26 = 6.04, P = .021). Conclusions: Coaches and sports medicine professionals should ensure that athletes of all levels, ages, and sexes have full knowledge of safe play and should consider aggression interventions for reducing head-impact severity among aggressive players during practice.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0021
Author(s):  
Patricia R. Combs ◽  
Cassie B. Ford ◽  
Elizabeth F. Teel ◽  
Erin B. Wasserman ◽  
Michael J. Cools ◽  
...  

Background: Body checking is the most common injury mechanism in ice hockey. Rule changes have sought to mitigate body checking exposure among youth players. In 2011, USA Hockey changed the legal body checking age from Pee Wee (11/12-year-olds) to Bantam (13/14-year-olds). Interestingly, Bantam players with checking experience during Pee Wee had a lower concussion risk relative to Bantam players without checking experience in a sample of Canadian youth hockey players. Understanding the head impact biomechanics underlying these findings could further elucidate the consequences of this rule change. Purpose: To determine the association between Pee Wee checking exposure and head impact biomechanics in a cohort of Bantam players. Methods: We prospectively collected data on Bantam ice hockey players during the 2006/07-2009/10 seasons and the 2012-2013 season. The 2006/07-2009/10 cohort (n= 61, age=13.9±0.5 years, height=168.2±8.7 cm, mass=59.9±10.4 kg) was allowed to body check (BC) as a Pee Wee player. The 2012-2013 cohort (n=15, age=13.3±0.4 years, height=167.5±7.4 cm, mass=57.5±8.6 kg) was not permitted to body check (NBC) as a Pee Wee player. Over the course of each season, head impacts were measured using in-helmet accelerometers. Only head impacts with linear acceleration ≥10 g were included in our analysis. Main outcome measures were mean linear acceleration (g) and rotational acceleration (rad/s2). Levene’s tests assessed equality of variance between groups. We employed mixed effects models to assess group differences in mean linear and rotational acceleration between BC and NBC groups. Results: The BC and NBC groups did not differ in height (t74=0.28, p=0.78) or mass (t74=0.84, p=0.40). When assessing group differences in head impact biomechanics, the NBC experienced significantly greater linear acceleration (F1,74=4.36, p=0.04) and greater rotational acceleration (F1,74=21.2, p<0.001) relative to the BC group. On average, the NBC group experienced 23.1 ± 0.87 g linear acceleration and 1993.5 ± 68.4 rad/s2 rotational acceleration compared to the BC group, which experienced 21.2 ± 0.30 g linear acceleration and 1615.9 ± 45.2 rad/s2 rotational acceleration. Conclusions: Bantam ice hockey players without body checking experience during their Pee Wee years experienced greater average linear and rotational acceleration relative to players with Pee Wee body checking experience. While removing body checking from Pee Wee ice hockey may reduce short-term injury risk, these athletes may demonstrate more high-risk head impact biomechanics when legally allowed to body check. Future research should continue to examine the influence of policy changes on head impact biomechanics and injury risk in youth ice hockey. [Figure: see text]


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110266
Author(s):  
Landon B. Lempke ◽  
Rachel S. Johnson ◽  
Rachel K. Le ◽  
Melissa N. Anderson ◽  
Julianne D. Schmidt ◽  
...  

Background: Youth flag football participation has rapidly grown and is a potentially safer alternative to tackle football. However, limited research has quantitatively assessed youth flag football head impact biomechanics. Purpose: To describe head impact biomechanics outcomes in youth flag football and explore factors associated with head impact magnitudes. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We monitored 52 player-seasons among 48 male flag football players (mean ± SD; age, 9.4 ± 1.1 years; height, 138.6 ± 9.5 cm; mass, 34.7 ± 9.2 kg) across 3 seasons using head impact sensors during practices and games. Sensors recorded head impact frequencies, peak linear ( g) and rotational (rad/s2) acceleration, and estimated impact location. Impact rates (IRs) were calculated as 1 impact per 10 player-exposures; IR ratios (IRRs) were used to compare season, event type, and age group IRs; and 95% CIs were calculated for IRs and IRRs. Weekly and seasonal cumulative head impact frequencies and magnitudes were calculated. Mixed-model regression models examined the association between player characteristics, event type, and seasons and peak linear and rotational accelerations. Results: A total of 429 head impacts from 604 exposures occurred across the study period (IR, 7.10; 95% CI, 4.81-10.50). Weekly and seasonal cumulative median head impact frequencies were 1.00 (range, 0-2.63) and 7.50 (range, 0-21.00), respectively. The most frequent estimated head impact locations were the skull base (n = 96; 22.4%), top of the head (n = 74; 17.2%), and back of the head (n = 66; 15.4%). The combined event type IRs differed among the 3 seasons (IRR range, 1.45-2.68). Games produced greater IRs (IRR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.53) and peak linear acceleration (mean difference, 5.69 g; P = .008) than did practices. Older players demonstrated greater combined event–type IRs (IRR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.12-1.90) and increased head impact magnitudes than did younger players, with every 1-year age increase associated with a 3.78 g and 602.81-rad/s2 increase in peak linear and rotational acceleration magnitude, respectively ( P≤ .005). Conclusion: Head IRs and magnitudes varied across seasons, thus highlighting multiple season and cohort data are valuable when providing estimates. Head IRs were relatively low across seasons, while linear and rotational acceleration magnitudes were relatively high.


2020 ◽  
pp. 21-44
Author(s):  
Leah E. McMunn ◽  
Thomas B. Hoshizaki ◽  
Michael Robidoux ◽  
Michael D. Gilchrist ◽  
Clara Karton ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 780-780
Author(s):  
M S DiFabio ◽  
T A Buckley

Abstract Purpose To examine relationships between head impact kinematics sustained over a season and competitive aggression and self-reported risk-taking behavior in collegiate club ice-hockey athletes. Methods Twenty male ice-hockey players (19.9±1.2 y.o, 1.8±0.06 m, 78.5±5.7 kg) completed the Competitive Anger and Aggression Scale (CAAS, Range:0-84) and the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS, Range:8-40) during the preseason as measures of competitive aggression and risk-taking behavior with higher/lower reflecting higher/lower aggression and risk taking. Penalty minutes (PM) and games played (GP) were taken from official game records. Head impact kinematics (number of impacts, linear mean, peak, cumulative acceleration) were recorded by tri-axial accelerometers worn during games/practices. Spearman correlation was performed to examine relationships between variables. Results The mean number of impacts was 76.6±54.9 (range: 6–171); mean and cumulative acceleration were 36.3±4.2g (range:27.8–42.2g) and 2829.4±2024.9g (range:198.4–6527.2g), respectively. Neither CAAS (mean: 48.7±10.9, range: 24–64) nor BSSS scores (mean: 25.3±4.4, range:15–32) were significantly related to impact kinematics. GP was significantly correlated with number of impacts (r=.63, p=.003) and cumulative linear acceleration (r=.61, p=.004). PM was significantly correlated with number of impacts (r=.52, p=.20) and cumulative linear acceleration (r=.55, p=.13). Conclusion There were no relationships between the head impact kinematics and self-reported aggressiveness or risk taking behavior, but more PM was strongly related to higher head impact loads. Considering PM may be useful in aiding to identify athletes who may sustain higher head impact loads, however, self-reports of behavior may not be.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Mihalik ◽  
Erin B. Wasserman ◽  
Elizabeth F. Teel ◽  
Stephen W. Marshall

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 416-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P Mihalik ◽  
Kevin M Guskiewicz ◽  
Stephen W Marshall ◽  
Richard M Greenwald ◽  
J Troy Blackburn ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. e1.48-e1
Author(s):  
Jason P Mihalik ◽  
Kevin M Guskiewicz ◽  
Stephen W Marshall

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S30.2-S31
Author(s):  
Melissa DiFabio ◽  
Katherine Breedlove ◽  
Thomas Buckley

ObjectiveTo examine if head impact kinematics (HIK) predict in-season concussion or acute lower extremity injury (LEI) in collegiate ice hockey.BackgroundSustaining head impacts in sport regularly may be damaging to long-term neurological health. Individuals who sustain higher head impact loads may be at increased risk for concussion, and furthermore, individuals who sustain a concussion are more likely to sustain a subsequent LEI than those without a history of concussion.Design/MethodsTwenty-nine collegiate club male ice hockey players (age: 20.2 ± 1.4) over the 2015-2018 seasons completed a survey at the conclusion of their season of LEI and concussion in-season. HIK (number of impacts, and mean, peak, and cumulative linear acceleration) were recorded via tri-axial accelerometers (Triax, Nowalk, CT) that each player wore for games/practices with a 10g impact threshold. Two binary logistic regressions were performed to determine if either sustaining a concussion or LEI was predicted by HIK.ResultsThere was no relationship between LEI or concussion with number of impacts (β:-0.018, p = 0.711, 95% CI:-0.12-0.84; β:-0.039, p = 0.55, 95% CI: -0.21-0.08, respectively), or mean (β:0.041, p = 0.79, 95% CI: -0.26-0.38; β:-0.040, p = 0.81, 95% CI: -0.37-0.32), peak (β:-0.065, p = 0.14, 95% CI: -0.16-0.01; β:0.0007, p = 0.99, 95% CI: -0.09-0.09), or cumulative acceleration (β:0.001, p = 0.42, 95% CI: -0.001-0.004; β:0.001, p = 0.55, 95% CI:-0.002-0.005). 7/29 players sustained a LEI and 6/29 sustained a concussion. Mean value for number of impacts was 59.7 ± 49.1 (range:3-171); mean acceleration: 33.9 ± 5.3g (range:22.0-42.22), peak: 71.8 ± 19.0g (range: 30.8-108.4); cumulative: 2,108.5 ± 1,793.8g (range 71.8-6517.2).ConclusionsThe main finding of this study is that greater HIK do not predict whether individuals sustained either an acute LEI or concussion during the season, albeit from a small sample. As HIK load is related to concussion incidence, it is possible HIK load may also be related to LEI, however, these results suggest HIK alone is not related to either in an ice hockey cohort.


Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (20 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S1.1-S1
Author(s):  
Abigail Swenson ◽  
Logan Miller ◽  
Jillian Urban ◽  
Joel Stitzel

ObjectiveThe objective of this pilot study was to characterize head impact exposure in a sample of youth boys' ice hockey using a novel instrumented mouthpiece, improving accuracy.BackgroundFrom 2010 to 2018 youth ice hockey saw a 15% increase in participation, despite growing concerns for concussion risk in contact sports. While contact sports with similar rates of concussion have been subjected to rigorous study, head impact exposure in youth ice hockey has been largely underexplored. Existing youth studies have utilized helmet-mounted sensors, which are associated with error due to poor coupling with the skull.Design/MethodsCustom mouthpieces containing a tri-axial accelerometer and gyroscope were fit to seven enrolled athletes, and monitored during practices and games throughout the season. Linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head were recorded for 60 ms when 5 g was exceeded on any axis for at least 3 ms. Time-synchronized film was reviewed to identify the contact scenario and head contact. Summary statistics of kinematics were calculated by scenario and presence of head contact.ResultsA total of 465 events were recorded over 25 weeks. Of these events 25% involved head contact; 92% of all contact scenarios were board checks, falls, or ice checks. Events involving head contact (i.e., head impacts) had median [95th percentile] peak linear acceleration, rotational velocity, and angular acceleration of 8.1 [30.9] g, 7.9 [20.2] rad/s, and 614 [2673] rad/s2, respectively. Events not involving head contact had median [95th percentile] peak linear acceleration, rotational velocity, and angular acceleration of 6.6 [43.8] g, 6.5 [17.5] rad/s, and 455 [4115] rad/s2, respectively.ConclusionsThe majority of the recorded events could be classified as board checks, falls, or ice checks. Median peak kinematics were higher for head impacts than non-head impact events. In contrast, 95th percentile linear and angular accelerations were greater for impacts not involving head contact.


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