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January 2000 • Volume 1 / Issue 3
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Prevention of Sports Injuries
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Common hockey injuries
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Fitness + controlled aggression
Hockey is a fast, aggressive and physically-demanding sport involving both fitness and controlled aggression. The
equipment used (hockey sticks, skates and pucks) as well as the physical environment in which the game is played
(hard, slippery ice, rigid boards and goal posts) add to the potential for player injury. High-velocity impact
with sticks, a puck, boards or skate blades increase the incidence of injury and almost every conceivable type
of injury is possible in this sport.
Injuries are related to direct trauma (80 per cent) with high puck velocities, aggressive stick use and body checking
(collisions) accounting for most of these. Most of the injuries occur during the actual game, rather than during
a practice.
Although facial injuries are common, they are decreasing due to increased use of helmets and masks. Conversely,
cervical spine injuries such as fractures and dislocations are being reported more frequently. Serious neck injuries
are rare and are usually caused by players sliding into the boards headfirst or being checked into the boards with
their head down. The most serious head injuries include concussion which occurs when a player collides with the
ice, boards or goal posts regardless of whether the player is wearing a helmet. Concussions vary in severity and
it is extremely important that a physician is consulted before a player is allowed to play again. The most common
head injuries are minor lacerations which may require stitches. High sticking is usually the cause of these injuries.
Fortunately, eye injuries are decreasing due to the increased use of masks.
Aggressive checking into the boards usually causes injuries to the upper extremities. These include shoulder dislocations,
separations and fractures. Shoulder tendinitis occurs due to overuse during shooting drills. A less common injury
is a shoulder burner, which occurs due to a crosscheck. This results in a contusion of the cervical spine and causes
weakness in the arms and decreased neck movement.
Hand and wrist injuries often occur due to slashing over the back of the hand and fighting without gloves. These
injuries include sprains, finger dislocations and fractures. Thumb sprains are common due to falling while holding
onto a hockey stick. Common injuries in the lower extremities include groin muscle strains due to a quick change
in direction. Groin injuries are very common in goalies due to quick maneuvers into a position where both legs
are spread in order to make a save. Muscle contusions in the hip area (hip pointers) and the thigh (charley horse)
are also common due to direct trauma from the goal posts or opponents knee. Ligament injuries around the knee are
also common due to aggressive checking.
Ankle injuries are uncommon in hockey but the small foot bones may fracture due to a direct blow.
The stamina and endurance potential of a hockey player are important in determining peak performance and avoiding
injury. One study showed a gradual increase in injury as the game progressed with 27 per cent of the injuries occurring
during the first period, 34 per cent during the second period and 39 per cent during the third period. Evidently,
the player's stamina decreased as the game progressed.
In summary...
Most hockey injuries occur due to impact and trauma. The use of proper equipment such as adequate padding in shoulder
pads and hockey pants and proper fitting helmets can decrease your risk. The establishment of effective rules and
their enforcement also significantly decreases injury rates. Giving penalties for high sticking, checking from
behind and elbowing have all helped to reduce injuries.
Finally, effective training and conditioning is essential for the prevention of injury. Adequate stretching and
an aerobic conditioning program will help to decrease the incidence of overuse injuries and muscle strains. Strengthening
of the cervical and upper body muscles will help prevent neck and shoulder injuries. It is also important for the
coach and team trainers to be aware of a player's injury and deal with it appropriately.
— Virginia Boro, B.Sc., PT, is the Director of the Virginia Boro Physiotherapy Clinic,
at the Nepean Sports Medicine Centre, 613-727-8712. |
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