RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Injuries in women's international ice hockey: an 8-year study of the World Championship tournaments and Olympic Winter Games
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 1406
OP 1412
DO 10.1136/bjsports-2015-094647
VO 50
IS 22
A1 Markku Tuominen
A1 Michael J Stuart
A1 Mark Aubry
A1 Pekka Kannus
A1 Kari Tokola
A1 Jari Parkkari
YR 2016
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/50/22/1406.abstract
AB Background We report the incidence, type, mechanism and severity of ice hockey injuries in women's international ice hockey championships.Methods All injuries in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship, World Women's under-18 Championship and Olympic Winter Games tournaments were analysed over an 8-year period using a strict injury definition, standardised reporting and team physician diagnosis.Results 168 injuries were recorded in 637 games over an 8-year period resulting in an injury rate (IR) of 6.4 per 1000 player-games and 22.0/1000 player-game hours. The IRs were 2.7/1000 player-games for the lower body, 1.4 for the upper body, 1.3 for the head and face and 0.9 for the spine and trunk. Contusion was the most common injury followed by a sprain. The most commonly injured site was the knee (48.6% of lower body injuries; IR 1.3/1000 player-games). The Medial collateral ligament sprain occurred in 37.1% and ACL rupture in 11.4% of knee injuries. A concussion (74.3%; IR 1.0/1000 player-games) was the most common head injury.Conclusions and recommendations The risk of injury to female ice hockey players at World Championship and Olympic tournaments was about half of that observed in the men's Championships. Full facial protection decreases the risk of lacerations and should be continued in all future female tournaments. More effective prevention strategies for knee, ankle and shoulder injuries are needed in women's ice hockey. Improved concussion education is necessary to promote more consistent diagnosis and return to play protocols.