Injuries in Junior A ice hockey. A three-year prospective study

Am J Sports Med. 1995 Jul-Aug;23(4):458-61. doi: 10.1177/036354659502300415.

Abstract

This 3-year prospective cohort observational analysis of elite amateur hockey players ranging in age from 17 to 20 years on a United States Hockey League team describes ice hockey injuries using a strict definition of injury, standardized reporting strategies, and diagnosis by a team physician. One hundred forty-two injuries were recorded for an on-ice injury rate of 9.4 per 1000 player hours. A player was 25 times more likely to be injured in a game (96.1 per 1000 player-game hours) than in practice (3.9 per 1000 player-practice hours). Game-related injuries were more frequent in the third period, and practice-related injuries occurred more often in the first third of the season. Collisions represented 51% of the total injuries. The most common types of injuries were strains, lacerations, contusions, and sprains. The face and the shoulder were most frequently injured. A facial laceration was the most common injury; acromioclavicular joint sprain was the second most common injury. Facial lacerations typically occurred in games and were stick related. Further research is necessary to determine if injuries in Junior A amateur ice hockey can be reduced by mandatory full facial protection, enforcement of existing rules, improvement in shoulder pad design, and by focusing more attention on stretching programs.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
  • Cohort Studies
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology
  • Hockey / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Sprains and Strains / epidemiology
  • United States / epidemiology