@article {Pettersson251, author = {M Pettersson and R Lorentzon}, title = {Ice hockey injuries: a 4-year prospective study of a Swedish {\'e}lite ice hockey team.}, volume = {27}, number = {4}, pages = {251--254}, year = {1993}, doi = {10.1136/bjsm.27.4.251}, publisher = {British Association of Sport and Excercise Medicine}, abstract = {In this prospective study, we have investigated the incidence of injuries of different severity, types of injury, and mechanisms of injury during ice hockey practice and games. One Swedish {\'e}lite hockey team was closely observed during four seasons (1986-1990). There were 376 injuries, of which 148 resulted in absence from practice or games. The incidence of injury (injuries associated with later absence) during practice was 2.6 per 1000 player-practice hours and 74.1 per 1000 player-game hours. Nuisance injuries (without any later absence) and minor injuries (absence \< 1 week) constituted the vast majority (95.2\%) and only 4.8\% (18 cases) were classified as moderate or major injuries (absence \> 1 week). Of the injuries 85\% were caused by trauma and 15\% by overuse. Injuries were most often localized to the lower limb (37.8\%) and head/face (31.4\%). The commonest injuries were contusions, lacerations/wounds, strains and sprains. Most injuries resulted from stick or player contact (predominantly checking). The results are in close agreement with those of a previous investigation of another Swedish {\'e}lite hockey team covering the years 1982-1985. It should be possible to reduce the number of injuries by stricter enforcement of the hockey rules, especially against stick violations, and a more widespread use of visors.}, issn = {0306-3674}, URL = {https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/27/4/251}, eprint = {https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/27/4/251.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of Sports Medicine} }