[Risk of injury in ice hockey: is the trend decreasing?]

Abstract

To date, our ongoing prospective study of more than 6 years duration has documented and analyzed 113 injuries sustained by squad players who had participated in a total of 323 international games. In the case of the upper limb, injuries to the hand and shoulder predominate (34.5%), while in the lower limb the knee joint and foot (38.9%) are most frequently involved. Despite a decrease in the number of injuries--the present incidence of injuries among senior players is 56.7%, and among junior players 59.1%--such preventive measures as checking and improving proper protective equipment must constantly be re-evaluated and discussed. Today, in the case of squad players, injuries are sustained to the non-use of (full- or half-vizor helmets) or deficient equipment (modifications made in favor of comfort). In this type of team sport, speed and body contact are an integral part of the game, and this is associated with an increased risk of injury. In general terms, an important preventive measure to be demanded in national and international standardization of the player's entire equipment.