Overuse Injuries Of Finnish Elite Junior Ice Hockey Players. Prospective Online Survey

Abstract

Frequent forceful impacts, the unpredictable nature of the game, the long sticks and the sharp blades of the skates as well as high velocity of skating and shooting the puck make ice hockey an injury-prone sport. Most of the previous ice hockey injury studies have focused on traumatic injuries. In team sports, absence of one player may affect the team´s performance and chances of winning. This fact might create pressure for a player to decide to compete while injured or ill. The purpose of the study was to define the number, type, and anatomic location of overuse injuries in the high level Junior A and B (15–19-year-old) ice hockey players, and whether players report the injuries to coaching and medical staff. Players self-reported the injury data via online survey. The data was collected between September 2009 and March 2010. Out of 55 subjects, 33 players (62%) were injured. Of all injuries, 70.4% (45 injuries) were traumatic and 69.6% (19 injuries) were overuse injuries. Players reported 95% of the injuries to coaching staff and they reported 75% of the injuries to medical staff. Injuries that were not reported to coaching or medical staff were minor injuries. The estimated average probability of player sustaining at least one injury during the season was 62.2% (95% CI 0.49–0.75). Hip/groin was the most common site for overuse injury (7 injuries, 36.8% of all overuse injuries). Therefore, injury prevention focus should be placed on reducing the number of muscle sprains and especially hip/groin injuries. More knowledge is needed about the modifiable risk factors of these injuries. Injuries that were not reported to coaching or medical staff were all minor injuries.