Ice hockey injuries.

Ice hockey is a team sport that has recently grown in popularity not only in the United States but also in Canada and Europe. With this increase in popularity has come a growing concern about the number and severity of injuries. The world literature on the biomechanics and physiology of ice hockey was reviewed in an attempt to evaluate the forces and mechanisms involved in the game. The influence of rule and equipment changes on injury patterns was particularly studied. Several studies on the epidemiology of injuries, providing data on the types of injuries and the mechanisms of those injuries, were analyzed to determine the conclusions that could be supported and those that require further study. Possible changes in the patterns and types of injury are outlined.