ISSN: 1546-962X
Published Online: 28 September 2009
Page Count: 7

An Analysis of Head Impact Profiles and Safe Hockey Behaviors in Youth Hockey Players

McPherson, Moira N.
School of Kinesiology, Lakehead Univ.,ON,

Montelpare, William J.
School of Kinesiology, Lakehead Univ.,ON,

Keightley, Michelle
Dept. of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Dept. of Rehabilitation Science, Univ. of Toronto,ON,

Reed, Nicholas
Dept. of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Dept. of Rehabilitation Science, Univ. of Toronto,ON,

Sutherland, Malcolm
School of Kinesiology, Lakehead Univ.,ON,

Taha, Tim
School of Physical and Health Education, Univ. of Toronto,ON,

McAuliffe, Jim
School of Physical Education, Nipissing Univ.,ON,

Baker, Joseph R.
School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, York Univ.,ON,

Cubos, Jeff
School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, York Univ.,ON,

Faught, Brent
Dept. of Community Health Sciences, Brock Univ.,ON,

(Received 27 May 2008; accepted 18 August 2009)

Abstract

Although injury risk factors can be described in biomechanical terms, previous research has not described the relationship between style of play and the frequency and magnitude of head impacts. This paper is focused on the analysis of head impact profiles and safe hockey behaviors demonstrated during contact situations in a cohort of 13 Bantam-aged minor hockey players. Head impacts sustained at 27 home games during the 2006–2007 season were measured using the Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS). Hockey helmets (Canadian Standards Association approved) were equipped with six linear accelerometers and a wireless system that transmitted data to a receiver interfaced with a computer. Nine games were recorded using a field videography system to capture player collisions. A HITS profile was determined, which included the number of impacts (>10 g) (“g”=m/sec²) by player, the total number of impacts, the average number of impacts per game, and the mean linear acceleration value for all impacts per player. Based on these results, ten taped trials for the players sustaining greater than 180 total impacts over the season were qualitatively analyzed using a checklist to examine the safe hockey behaviors associated with body contacts. We captured 2753 head impacts over the season, with the average number of impacts per player per game ranging from 3 to 16 with a mean linear acceleration of 15.8 g (standard deviation=13.76). The checklist of safe hockey behaviors was used to analyze skating performance for a group of five players who experienced more than 180 impacts, with some impact magnitudes exceeding 98 g. In general, differences in indicators of skating skill, body position prior to check/contact, and actions during the contact were observed. While specific players may be predisposed to head impacts of a greater frequency and magnitude because of their style of play, these characteristics can be changed to reduce risk of potential injury.

Keywords:
head impact, injury risk factors, linear acceleration, qualitative video analysis

Paper ID: JAI101908
DOI: 10.1520/JAI101908
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