RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does disallowing body checking in non-elite 13- to 14-year-old ice hockey leagues reduce rates of injury and concussion? A cohort study in two Canadian provinces
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 414
OP 421
DO 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101092
VO 54
IS 7
A1 Carolyn Emery
A1 Jean-Michel Galarneau
A1 Luz Palacios-Derflingher
A1 Amanda Marie Black
A1 Paul Eliason
A1 Maciek Krolikowski
A1 Nicole Spencer
A1 Stacy Kozak
A1 Kathryn J Schneider
A1 Shelina Babul
A1 Martin Mrazik
A1 Constance M Lebrun
A1 Claude Goulet
A1 Alison Macpherson
A1 Brent E Hagel
YR 2020
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/7/414.abstract
AB Objective To compare rates of injury and concussion among non-elite (lowest 60% by division of play) Bantam (ages 13–14 years) ice hockey leagues that disallow body checking to non-elite Bantam leagues that allow body checking.Methods In this 2-year cohort study, Bantam non-elite ice hockey players were recruited from leagues where policy allowed body checking in games (Calgary/Edmonton 2014–2015, Edmonton 2015–2016) and where policy disallowed body checking (Kelowna/Vancouver 2014–2015, Calgary 2015–2016). All ice hockey game-related injuries resulting in medical attention, inability to complete a session and/or time loss from hockey were identified using valid injury surveillance methodology. Any player suspected of having concussion was referred to a study physician for diagnosis and management.Results 49 body checking (608 players) and 33 non-body checking teams (396 players) participated. There were 129 injuries (incidence rate (IR)=5.52/1000 hours) and 54 concussions (IR=2.31/1000 hours) in the body checking teams in games. After policy change, there were 31 injuries (IR=2.50/1000 hours) and 17 concussions (IR=1.37/1000 hours) in games. Policy disallowing body checking was associated with a lower rate of all injury (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR)=0.45; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.76). The point estimate showed a lower rate of concussion (adjusted IRR=0.59; 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.17), but this was not statistically significant.Conclusion Policy change disallowing body checking in non-elite Bantam ice hockey resulted in a 55% lower rate of injury. There is growing evidence that disallowing body checking in youth ice hockey is associated with fewer injuries.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.