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Hockey helmets, face masks, and injurious behavior
1Department of Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Pediatrics
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Mandatory protective equipment in ice hockey reduces some injuries but increases others, like spinal trauma. Physician advocacy is crucial for promoting safer play and reducing injurious behaviors in the sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Ice hockey has seen evolving safety equipment regulations.
- Protective gear aims to mitigate common sports-related injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To inform physicians about factors contributing to injurious behaviors in ice hockey.
- To advocate for the medical community's role in driving sport safety changes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was performed.
- Data was synthesized from scientific journals, conference proceedings, theses, and news publications.
Main Results:
- Mandatory head and facial protection effectively reduced ocular, facial, and dental injuries in youth hockey.
- Paradoxically, this protection has been linked to an increase in catastrophic spinal injuries.
- A false sense of security from equipment leads to increased risk-taking and lenient officiating, resulting in more illegal and injurious behaviors like checking from behind.
Conclusions:
- Physician advocacy is essential for implementing meaningful changes in ice hockey safety.
- Addressing the unintended consequences of protective equipment requires a multi-faceted approach involving players, officials, and medical professionals.