Bodychecking experience and rates of injury among ice hockey players aged 15-17 years
Eliason PH, Hagel BE, Palacios-Derflingher L, Warriyar V, Bonfield S, Black AM, Mrazik M, Lebrun C, Emery CA
CMAJ. June 2022
Eliason PH, Hagel BE, Palacios-Derflingher L, Warriyar V, Bonfield S, Black AM, Mrazik M, Lebrun C, Emery CA
CMAJ. June 2022
941 ice hockey players, aged 15-17, in Alberta
Over 3 ice hockey seasons, from the 2015/16 season to the 2017/18 season.
To evaluate the associations between bodychecking experience and the rates of injury and concussion.
Ice hockey players with 3+ years of experience in bodychecking had higher rates of all injury, of injury resulting in more than 7 days time loss, and of concussion, when compared to players with 2 years or less of experience.
Eliason P, Hagel BE, Palacios-Derflingher L, Warriyar KV V, Bonfield S, Black AM, Babul S, Mrazik M, Lebrun C, Emery C
Br J Sports Med. February 2022
1647 U15 ice hockey players
2013-2014 ice hockey season until 2017-2018 ice hockey season.
To compare rates of injury and concussion in leagues allowing body checking with varying years of body checking experience
No association was found between body checking experience and injury or concussion rates.
Emery ca, Eliason P, Warriyar V, Palacios-Derflingher L, Black AM, Krolikowski M, Spencer N, Sick S, Kozak S, Schneider KJ, Babul S, Mrazik M, Lebrun C, Goulet C, Macpherson A, Hagel BE
Br J Sports Med. January 2022
Ice hockey players, aged 15-17 years, in Alberta and British Columbia.
Between 2015 and 2018
To evaluate the effect of policy change disallowing body checking in adolescent ice hockey leagues on reducing rates of injury and concussion.
The rate of injury was 62% lower and rate of concussion was 51% lower in leagues not permitting body checking.
Currie GR, Lee R, Palacios-Derfligher L, Hagel B, Black AM, Babul S, Mrazik M, Marshall DA, Emery CA
Int J Environ Res Public Health. June 2021
608 players from Calgary and Edmonton leagues where body checking was allowed in games and 396 players from Calgary, Vancouver and Kelowna leagues where it was not allowed in games.
The leagues where body checking was allowed occurred in Calgary & Edmonton during the 2014-2015 season and in Edmonton during the 2015-2016 season.
The leagues where body checking was not allowed occurred in Vancouver & Kelowna during the 2014-2015 season and in Calgary during the 2015-2016 season.
To compare rates of game injuries and costs among non-elite Bantam ice hockey leagues that allow body checking and those that did not.
Disallowing body checking in non-elite 13-14-year-old ice hockey would prevent injuries and reduce public healthcare costs.
Currie GR, Lee R, Black AM, Palacios-Derfligher L, Hagel BE, Emery CA, Marshall DA
Sports Health. June 2021
Alberta Pee Wee hockey players, aged 11-12 years
During the 2011-2012 season where body checking was allowed in games and during the 2013-2014 season where body checking was not allowed in games.
To determine if the injuries and injury-related costs differ for Pee Wee ice hockey players in the season after a national policy change disallowing body checking in games compared with a season when body checking was allowed in Alberta.
With a significant reduction in injuries and lower public health care system and private costs, the policy change is supported.
Williamson RA, Kolstad AT, Krolikowski M, Nadeau L, Goulet C, Hagel BE, Emery CA
Orthop J Sports Med. March 2021
16 elite U15 games (510 players) prior to the Hockey Canada "zero tolerance for head contact" policy change and 16 elite U15 games (486 players) after the policy change were video recorded.
Games before the policy change were during the 2008-2009 ice hockey season and games after the policy change were during the 2013-2014 ice hockey season.
To compare the rates of primary and secondary head contacts and "zero tolerance for head contact" policy enforcement in elite U15 ice hockey leagues.
Despite the implementation of the "zero tolerance for head contact" policy, there was no difference in rate of primary head contacts (direct contact by player) and secondary head contacts (indirect contact via boards, glass or ice surface). There was no difference in the proportion of primary head contacts penalized from before or after implementation.
Chisholm DA, Black AM, Palacios-Derflingher L, Eliason PH, Schneider KJ, Emery CA, Hagel BE
Br J Sports Med. July 2020
315 participants who sustained a suspected concussion during a game or practice and 270 participants who sustained a non-concussion injury.
The 2011-2012 ice hockey season and the three ice hockey seasons between 2013 & 2016.
To determine the association between concussion and mouthguard use in youth ice hockey.
Emery C, Palacios-Derflingher L, Black AM, Eliason P, Krowlikowski M, Spencer N, Kozak S, Schneider KJ, Babul S, Mrazik M, Lebrun CM, Goulet C, Macpherson A, Hagel BE
Br J Sports Med September 2019
608 players from 49 body checking teams and 396 players from 33 non-body checking teams in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Vancouver.
2014-2016
To compare rates of injury and concussion among non-elite Bantam ice hockey leagues that disallow body checking to non-elite Bantam leagues that allow body checking
Disallowing body checking in non-elite Bantam ice hockey resulted in a 56% lower rate of injury. There is growing evidence that disallowing body checking is associated with fewer injuries.
Lishchynsky JT, Rutschmann TD, Toomey CM, Palacios-Derflingher L, Yeates KO, Emery CA, Schneider KJ
Front Neurol June 2019
30 ice hockey players (12-17 yrs old) that were diagnosed with a concussion sustained during ice hockey
2015-2016
To evaluate the association between the amount of moderate and vigorous physical activity during the first 3 days following concussion diagnosis and time to medical clearance to return to play in youth ice hockey players
More time in moderate and vigorous physical activity early in recovery period may result in greater time to medical clearance to return to full participation
Schneider KJ, Nettel-Aguirre A, Palacios-Derfliingher L, Mrazik M, Brooks BL, Woollings K, Blake T, McKay C, Lebrun C, Barlow K, Taylor K, Lemke N, Meeuwisse WH, Emery CA
Clin J Sport Med October 2018
659 elite male and 119 elite female youth ice hockey players
2011-2012 ice hockey season
To examine rates of concussion and more severe concussion (time loss of greater than 10 days) in elite 13- to 17-year-old ice hockey players
Concussion incidence rate was 17.60 concussions/100 players, 1.31 concussions/1000 player-hours. Time loss greater than 10 days was reported in 74% of cases and 20% had time loss greater than 30 days.
Blake TA, Doyle-Baker PK, Brooks BL, Palacios-Derflingher L, Emery CA
BMJ Open September 2018
1208 Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget male ice hockey players in Alberta, Canada
2011-2015
To examine the association between meeting physical activity volume recommendations and concussion rates
Concussion rate of players who did not meet the Canadian physical activity volume recommendations was more that twice the concussion rate of players who met recommendations among Pee Wee, Bantam and non-elite.
Black AM, Hagel BE, Palacios-Derflingher L, Schneider KJ, Emery CA
Br J Sports Med December 2017
883 Pee Wee players from 59 teams in Calgary, Alberta in 2011-2012 and 618 Pee Wee players from 73 teams in 2013-2014
2011-2012 & 2013-2014 seasons
To determine if the risk of injury, including concussions, changes for Pee Wee ice hockey players in the season following a national policy change disallowing body checking
Introduction on the 2013 national body checking policy resulted in a 50% relative reduction in injury rate and a 64% reduction in concussion rate
Krolikowski MP, Black AM, Palacios-Derflingher L, Blake TA, Schneider KJ, Emery CA
Am J Sports Med February 2017
891 Pee Wee (70% elite) and 378 Bantam (30% elite) before the rule change and 588 Pee Wee and 242 Bantam in the same levels of play after the policy change
2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2011-2012
To determine if the risk of game-related concussions and more severe concussions and the mechanisms of a concussion differed for Pee Wee class and Bantam class players after the 2011 “zero tolerance for head contact” policy change compared with players of similar divisions before the policy change
The policy change did not reduce the risk of game-related concussion in Pee Wee or Bantam. Increased concussion awareness and education after the policy change may have contributed to the increase risk of concussion found after the policy change
Little CE, Emery C, Scott SH, Meeuwisse W, Palacios-Deflingher L, Dukelow SP
J Neuroeng Rehabil October 2016
385 pediatric/adolescent ice hockey players
2013-2014 ice hockey season
To determine whether differences in baseline performance on multiple robotic tasks could be identified between pediatric/adolescent ice hockey players
No differences in sensorimotor and/or cognitive performance across multiple parameters using KINARM end point robotic testing
Black AM, Macpherson AK, Hagel BE, Romiti MA, Palacios-Derflingher L, Kang J, Meeuwisse WH, Emery CA
Br J Sports Med January 2016
590 non-elite Pee Wee players from Alberta and 281 from Ontario; 294 elite Pee Wee players from Alberta and 166 from Ontario
2011-2012 ice hockey season
to compare the risk of injury and concussion between non-elite Pee Wee ice hockey players in leagues where body checking is permitted and leagues where policy change disallowed body checking
The rate of injury and concussion were threefold greater in non-elite Pee Wee ice hockey players in leagues where body checking was permitted. The rate of injury and concussion did not differ between provinces in elite levels where body checking was allowed.
McKay CD, Schneider KJ, Brooks BL, Mrazik M, Emery CA
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther May 2014
714 AA and AAA Bantam and Midget hockey players, aged 12-17
2011-2012 hockey season
To examine the differences in concussion history and attention or learning disorders
There was substantial disagreements between instruments reporting learning disorders.
McKay CD, Brooks BL, Mrazik M, Jubinville AL, Emery CA
Arch Clin Neuropsychol March 2014
704 elite hockey players, aged 13-17 years
2011-2012 hockey season
To determine psychometric properties and reference values for ImPACT
Players aged 16-17 years had better visual processing speeds than younger individuals. Girls had a greater total symptom rating than boys.
Decloe MD, Meeuwisse WH, Hagel BE, Emery CA
Br J Sports Med January 2014
Female youth ice hockey players, aged 9-17, in Girls Hockey Calgary Association
2008-2009 season
To examine the rates, types, mechanisms and risk factors of female youth hockey
McKay CD, Taufts RJ, Shaffer B, Meeuwisse WH
Br J Sports Med January 2014
All NHL teams
The 2006-2007 season through the 2011-2012 season
To determine injury and illness rates in the NHL over six seasons. To identify predictors of injury-related time loss in this population
Being a goaltender, being injured on the road, and being injured by a body check were the greatest risk factors.
Brooks BL, McKay CD, Mrazik M, Barlow KM, Meeuwisse WH, Emery CA
J Neurotrauma September 2013
643 Bantam and Midget hockey players, aged 13-17
2011-2012 hockey season
To examine whether there are lingering effects from past concussions in adolescent athletes
Significantly more symptoms were reported in those with two or more concussions than those with one or no prior.
Schneider KJ, Meeuwisse WH, Kang J, Schneider GM, Emery CA
Clin J Sport Med July 2013
3832 male ice hockey players, aged 11-14, in Alberta and Quebec
2007-2008 PeeWee season and 2008-2009 Bantam season
To determine the risk of concussion for players who reported neck pain, dizziness, and/or headache in the preseason
Athletes who reported these symptoms in the preseason were at a greater risk of concussion during the season
McKay C, Campbell T, Meeuwisse W, Emery C
Clin J Sports Med May 2013
316 Bantam and Midget male ice hockey players, aged 13-17, in Calgary, Alberta
2007-2008 hockey season
To determine the risk of injury associated with athletic identity, attitudes towards body checking, competitive state anxiety, and re-injury fear
Blake TA, Kang J, Meeuwisse WH, Lemke N, Schneider KJ, Taylor KA, Emery CA
Br J Sports Med March 2013
764 Bantam and Midget hockey players, aged 12-17
Published March 2013
To examine the risk of concussion among elite youth male and female ice hockey players.
There is a greater risk of concussion for 15-17 year old players with a previous history of concussion.
Emery CA, Kang J, Schneider KJ, Meeuwisse WH
Br J Sports Med November 2011
2081 players from Alberta and 2018 players from Quebec
2007-2008 PeeWee season and 2008-2009 Bantam season
To determine if there is an association between the risk of all injury or concussion and win-loss records or penalty minutes in competitive youth ice hockey players
There is a lower injury risk in teams winning at least 50% of their games. There is no associations between penalty minutes and injury rate.
Emery CA, Kang J, Shrier I, Goulet C, Hagel BE, Benson BW, Nettel-Aguirre A, McAllister JR, Hamilton GM, Meeuwisse WH
JAMA June 9 2010
PeeWee hockey players, aged 11-12 years, in Alberta and Quebec
2007-2008 hockey season
To compare the risk of injury and concussion in a body-checking league (Alberta) to a non-body checking league (Quebec)
There was a significantly increased risk of injury and concussion in the body checking league (Alberta) compared with the non-body checking league (Quebec).
Emery CA, McKay CD, Campbell TS, Peters AN
Clin J Sport Med May 2009
Male hockey players from PeeWee, Bantam and Midget teams in the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary
2007-2008 hockey season
To examine the attitudes toward body checking, levels of emotional empathy and levels of aggression in body checking and non-body checking youth hockey leagues
Attitudes toward body checking, and levels of empathy and aggression did not influence injury risk.
Decloe MD, Emery CA, Hagel B, Meeuwisse WH
Clin J Sport Med May 2009
Young female hockey players, aged 9-17 years, in the Girls Hockey Calgary Association (GHCA)
2008-2009 hockey season
To examine the incidence of injury, the type/severity of injury, and the mechanisms of injury
The overall injury rate was 1.9 injuries/1000 player hours. Previous injury, session type (games) and menstrual history (in PeeWee only) were risk factors for injury.
Emery CA, Meeuwisse WH
The American Journal of Sports Medicine December 2006
Male minor hockey players, aged 9-17 years, from 71 teams in the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary
2004-2005 hockey season
To examine injury rates, risk factors, and mechanisms of injury in minor hockey
The most common types were concussions and shoulder sprain/dislocations. The most common mechanism of injury was body checking. The risk of injury appeared to increase with increasing age and skill level.
Schick DM, Meeuwisse WH
The American Journal of Sports Medicine January 2003
Female varsity players from the Canada West University Athletic Association
1998-1999 hockey season
To compare injury rates, risk factors, and mechanisms of injury between gender in varsity hockey
Females had similar injury rates to males. Concussions and ankle sprains were the most common types of injury in females. Most injuries were due to a contact related mechanism.
Benson BW, Rose MW, Meeuwisse WH
Br J Sports Med February 2002
Varsity male hockey players from the Canada Inter-University Athletic Union
1997-1998 hockey season
To compare the risk of concussion with players wearing full face shields compared with half face shields (visors)
A full face shield compared with half face shield reduced severity of concussion (playing time loss).
Emery CA, Meeuwisse WH
Med Sci Sports Exerc September 2001
NHL players
1998-1999 training camp and regular season
To examine what factors might increase the risk of groin injury
Low levels of off-season training and previous injury can increase the risk of a groin injury. Veterans were at a greater risk of injury than rookies
Benson BW, Mohtadi NGH, Rose MS, Meeuwisse WH
JAMA December 1999
Male varsity hockey players in the Canadian Inter-University Athletics Union
1997-1998 season
To determine the risk of a head or neck injury in hockey players wearing full face shields compared with those wearing half shields
Wearing a full face shield reduces the risk of sustaining facial and dental injuries without an increase in the risk of neck injuries, concussions, or other injuries.
Emery CA, Meeuwisse WH, Powell JW
Clin J Sport Med July 1999
NHL players
1991-1992 season through 1996-1997
To analyze groin and abdominal strain injuries
The rate of strain injuries increased over the 6 seasons. Training camps had the highest risk of strain injuries. Games had a higher risk compared to practices for the strain injuries. Abdominal injuries tended to be more severe than groin injuries.