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430 A novel virtual helmet fit assessment for ice hockey and ringette players amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
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  1. Ash T Kolstad1,2,3,
  2. Linden C Penner1,2,
  3. Alexandra J Sobry1,2,
  4. Amanda M Black1,2,3,4,5,
  5. Brent E Hagel1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
  6. Carolyn A Emery1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
  1. 1Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
  2. 2Integrated Concussion Research Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
  3. 3Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
  4. 4Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Calgary, Canada
  5. 5O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
  6. 6Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
  7. 7Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
  8. 8McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

Abstract

Background Proper helmet fit is an important consideration for preventing head injuries, including concussions, in helmeted sports like youth ice hockey and ringette. Helmet fit assessments are typically completed in-person; however, this was not possible given COVID-19 restrictions. Thus, alternative considerations for virtual assessments were required.

Objective To examine the feasibility and inter-rater reliability of virtual ice hockey and ringette helmet fit assessments.

Design Cross-sectional.

Setting Calgary, Canada.

Participants Elite/upper division youth (ages 13–18) ice hockey (n=31 males) and ringette (n=30 females) players.

Assessment of Risk Factors Standardized ice hockey/ringette helmet fit criteria were developed and reliable for in-person assessments. Criteria were adapted for virtual delivery to participants over ZOOM video platform individually by two trained assessors per sport.

Main Outcome Measurements Twelve helmet fit criteria scored as yes/proper fit or no/poor fit were used to assess helmet shell fit (e.g., helmet fits snug, doesn’t cover eyes), positioning (e.g., helmet is 1–2 finger widths above eyebrows, covers base of skull), facemask fit (e.g., chin piece fits, facemask does not move left/right), and others. Percent agreement (PA) between raters was used to describe inter-rater reliability, and each rater documented barriers for completing the assessments virtually.

Results Acceptable PA (>80%) was demonstrated for 8/12 criterion for ice hockey and 9/12 for ringette. Below acceptable agreement was found for all four criterion assessing the helmet facemask fit (PA range: 48%-74%) in ice hockey players and criteria for the chin straps fit (PA=66%), helmet positioning (PA=73%), and facemask fit (PA=63%) in ringette players. Common barriers were related to technology (e.g., audio/video quality) and environment (e.g., noisy, lighting).

Conclusions Virtual helmet fit assessments are feasible and reliable for most criteria, with more training required for criteria below acceptable agreement. Virtual assessments provides another option for assessing helmet fit for concussion prevention in helmeted sports.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-IOC.394

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