Exposure to brain trauma in six age divisions of minor ice hockey

Comparing frequency and maximum principal strain of head impacts for U15 ice hockey leagues with standard and modified body contact rules

Brain trauma in bodychecking ice hockey is of concern for youth participants, as it presents unique risks compared to the non-bodychecking version of the sport. This study compared head impact frequency and magnitude between two ice hockey leagues with different body contact rules in the U15 age division: AAA (standard bodychecking) and M15 Minor (modified body contact rules). Video analysis of 16 games per league revealed no significant overall diference in impact frequency. M15 Minor players sustained significantly more head-to-head (14 to 2) impacts and AAA players sustained significantly more head-to-glass (18 to 7) and punch impacts (4 to 0). Laboratory reconstructions and finite element modeling were used to determine impact magnitude as maximum principal strain (MPS) and categorized from very low to very high. Higher impact frequency of very low MPS head impact events were observed for M15 Minor (61 to 51). The findings from this study highlight that this method of modifying body contact rules in U15 hockey did not result in lower levels of brain trauma, rather it presented unique brain trauma mechanisms compared to bodychecking.

A video analysis examination of the frequency and type of head impacts for player positions in youth ice hockey and FE estimation of their impact severity

This research employed head impact frequency and frequency of estimated strain to analyse the influence of player position on brain trauma in U15 and U18 youth ice hockey. The methods involved a video analysis of 30 U15 and 30 U18 games where frequency, type of head impact event, and player position during impact was recorded. These impacts were then simulated in the laboratory using physical reconstructions and finite element modelling to determine the brain strains for each impact category. U15 forwards experienced significantly higher head impact frequencies (139) when compared to defenceman (50), with goalies showing the lowest frequency (6) (p < 0.05). U18 forwards experienced significantly higher head impact frequencies (220) when compared to defenceman (92), with goalies having the least frequent head impacts (4) (p < 0.05). The U15 forwards had a significantly higher frequency of head impacts at the very low and med strains and the U18s had higher frequency of head impacts for the very low and low level strains (p < 0.05). Game rule changes and equipment innovation may be considered to mitigate the increased risk faced by forwards compared to other positions in U15 and U18 youth ice hockey.

Influence of play type on the magnitude and number of head impacts sustained in youth American football

The magnitude and number of head impacts experienced by young American football players are associated with negative brain health outcomes and may be affected by play-type strategies. The purpose of this research was to examine how play type affects the magnitude and number of head impacts in youth American tackle football. Head impacts were recorded for 30 games in the 5-9 age category and 30 games in the 9-14 age category. Impacts using physical and finite element models were conducted to determine the brain strain. Run plays had a higher head impact frequency in both age groups (p < 0.05). This increase in head impacts was consistent for all positions (p < 0.05), except wide receiver, and offensive line and defensive back in the 9-14 age group (p > 0.05). Both age groups experienced significantly different magnitude proportions with higher numbers of very low and low strain magnitude impacts during run plays (p < 0.05), and a higher proportion of moderate magnitude impacts in the 5-9 age category (p < 0.05). This data can be used to inform and educate teams and coaches and influence decisions around the use of runs and passing plays that may lead to a decrease in head impacts.

Comparison of head impact frequency and magnitude in youth tackle football and ice hockey

Repetitive head impacts are a growing concern for youth and adolescent contact sport athletes as they have been linked to long term negative brain health outcomes. Of all contact sports, tackle football and ice hockey have been reported to have the highest incidence of head or brain injury however, each sporting environment is unique with distinct rules and regulations regarding contact and collisions. The purpose of this research was to measure and compare the head impact frequency and estimated magnitude of brain tissue strain, amongst youth tackle football and ice hockey players during game play. Head impact frequency was documented by video analysis of youth tackle football and ice hockey game play. Impact magnitude was determined through physical laboratory reconstructions and finite element modelling to estimate brain tissue strains. Tackle football demonstrated significantly higher impact frequency (P < 0.01) and magnitude of estimated brain tissue strains (P < 0.01) compared to ice hockey. A significantly higher number of higher strain head impacts were documented in tackle football when compared to ice hockey (P < 0.01). These differences suggest that youth football players may experience increased frequency and magnitude of estimated brain tissue strains in comparison to youth hockey.