Michael G Hutchison1, Paul Comper2, Willem H Meeuwisse3, Ruben J Echemendia4. 1. David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Injury Prevention Research Office, Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Faculty of Kinesiology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 4. Psychological and Neurobehavioral Associates, Inc., State College, Pennsylvania, USA University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Concussions in sports are a growing cause of concern, as these injuries can have debilitating short-term effects and little is known about the potential long-term consequences. This work aims to describe how concussions occur in the National Hockey League. METHODS: Case series of medically diagnosed concussions for regular season games over a 3.5-year period during the 2006-2010 seasons. Digital video records were coded and analysed using a standardised protocol. RESULTS: 88% (n=174/197) of concussions involved player-to-opponent contact. 16 diagnosed concussions were a result of fighting. Of the 158 concussions that involved player-to-opponent body contact, the most common mechanisms were direct contact to the head initiated by the shoulder 42% of the time (n=66/158), by the elbow 15% (n=24/158) and by gloves in 5% of cases (n=8/158). When the results of anatomical location are combined with initial contact, almost half of these events (n=74/158) were classified as direct contact to the lateral aspect of the head. CONCLUSIONS: The predominant mechanism of concussion was consistently characterised by player-to-opponent contact, typically directed to the head by the shoulder, elbow or gloves. Also, several important characteristics were apparent: (1) contact was often to the lateral aspect of the head; (2) the player who suffered a concussion was often not in possession of the puck and (3) no penalty was called on the play. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
BACKGROUND: Concussions in sports are a growing cause of concern, as these injuries can have debilitating short-term effects and little is known about the potential long-term consequences. This work aims to describe how concussions occur in the National Hockey League. METHODS: Case series of medically diagnosed concussions for regular season games over a 3.5-year period during the 2006-2010 seasons. Digital video records were coded and analysed using a standardised protocol. RESULTS: 88% (n=174/197) of concussions involved player-to-opponent contact. 16 diagnosed concussions were a result of fighting. Of the 158 concussions that involved player-to-opponent body contact, the most common mechanisms were direct contact to the head initiated by the shoulder 42% of the time (n=66/158), by the elbow 15% (n=24/158) and by gloves in 5% of cases (n=8/158). When the results of anatomical location are combined with initial contact, almost half of these events (n=74/158) were classified as direct contact to the lateral aspect of the head. CONCLUSIONS: The predominant mechanism of concussion was consistently characterised by player-to-opponent contact, typically directed to the head by the shoulder, elbow or gloves. Also, several important characteristics were apparent: (1) contact was often to the lateral aspect of the head; (2) the player who suffered a concussion was often not in possession of the puck and (3) no penalty was called on the play. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Entities:
Keywords:
Concussion; Contact sports; Head injuries; Ice hockey; Injury Prevention
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