Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025
A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Factors Associated With Concussion Rates in Youth Ice Hockey Players: Data From the Largest Longitudinal Cohort Study
Paul Eliason1,2,3,4, Jean-Michel Galarneau1, Isla Shill1,2,3,4
1Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Objectives:
To examine factors associated with rates of game and practice-related concussion in youth ice hockey.
Design:
Five-year prospective cohort (Safe2Play).
Setting:
Community arenas (2013-2018).
Participants:
Four thousand eighteen male and 405 female ice hockey players (6584 player-seasons) participating in Under-13 (ages 11-12), Under-15 (ages 13-14), and Under-18 (ages 15-17) age groups.
Assessment Of Risk Factors:
Bodychecking policy, age group, year of play, level of play, previous injury in the previous year, lifetime concussion history, sex, player weight, and playing position.
Main Outcome Measurements:
All game-related concussions were identified using validated injury surveillance methodology. Players with a suspected concussion were referred to a study sport medicine physician for diagnosis and management. Multilevel Poisson regression analysis including multiple imputation of missing covariates estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs).
Main Results:
A total of 554 game and 63 practice-related concussions were sustained over the 5 years. Female players (IRR Female/Male = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.26-2.53), playing in lower levels of play (IRR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.10-1.77), and those with a previous injury (IRR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.88) or lifetime concussion history (IRR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.34-2.00) had higher rates of game-related concussion. Policy disallowing bodychecking in games (IRR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.40-0.72) and being a goaltender (IRR Goaltenders/Forwards = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38-0.87) were protective against game-related concussion. Female sex was also associated with a higher practice-related concussion rate (IRR Female/Male = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.24-5.59).
Conclusions:
In the largest Canadian youth ice hockey longitudinal cohort to date, female players (despite policy disallowing bodychecking), players participating in lower levels of play, and those with an injury or concussion history had higher rates of concussion. Goalies and players in leagues that disallowed bodychecking had lower rates. Policy prohibiting bodychecking remains an effective concussion prevention strategy in youth ice hockey.
More Related Videos
06:14In Vivo Protocol of Controlled Subconcussive Head Impacts for the Validation of Field Study Data
Published on: April 18, 2019
07:02An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System
Published on: January 12, 2011
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
00:57Percentage Frequency Distribution
The process of making a percentage frequency distribution involves the following few steps: note the total number of observations;...
00:55Relative Frequency Distribution
01:18Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...