ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 1 February 2004
Page Count: 6

The Power of the Denominator: A Proposal for More Comprehensive Modeling of Risk Factors in Ice Hockey Injuries

Stuart, MJ
Co-director, Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, Professor, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Smith, AM
Sports Psychology Counselor, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Larson, DR
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

(Received 24 October 2003; accepted 19 August 2003)

Abstract

In the sport of ice hockey, the incidence of injury has been investigated at multiple levels of participation based on collective player exposure, which assumes equal playing time among participants. However, playing time varies enormously between individual players on a given team because of variability in the number and length of shifts. Individual player monitoring, although laborintensive, more accurately identifies risk factors for sustaining injuries. Specific player exposure data are necessary for detailed analysis of factors such as style of play, illegal activities, equipment, player size, and officiating. In addition, prospective, uniform and accurate collection of exposure data may permit meaningful comparison of injury rates between levels of participation in ice hockey and also among different sports. Refinement of data collection tools that determine individual player injury exposure will increase the power of the denominator and facilitate prevention of ice hockey injuries.

Keywords:
injury risk, statistical methods, population-at-risk

Paper ID: JAI11293
DOI: 10.1520/JAI11293
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