No abstract

In brief: Two separate studies were done to determine the effects of body checking at the Pee Wee level. Study 1 evaluated eight of the smallest and eight of the largest players from leagues that allowed body checking. The players were measured for height, weight, grip strength, maximal skating speed, impact force during a body check, and speed of skating at impact. Significant morphologic differences (p <.05) between small and large players were reflected in forces of impact. Study 2 investigated the incidence and types of injuries sustained among players competing in leagues with body checking and without. In the checking leagues 55.5% of all injuries were due to body contacts, and serious injuries occurred six times more often than in nonchecking leagues. In addition, body checking accounted for 88% of the 25 fractures recorded during one hockey season.

Québec GIK 7P4, Canada. This study was undertaken to test the effects of a functional electrical stimulation (FES) training programme on the co-contraction level of spastic hemiparetic patients during a maximal speed forearm extension movement. Twelve males participated in 24 sessions of FES treatments applied to the triceps and biceps of the hemiparetic limb. The pattern of electrical stimulation was adjusted individually, after mathematical modelling of the EMG parameters, obtained at the execution of the task by the nonaffected limb. Pre-and posttest measurements included movement amplitude, time to maximal movement amplitude and peak amplitude of EMG activity in the triceps and biceps. All parameters were modified significantly (p < .01) following FES and the triceps to biceps ratio of EMG activity was also changed (p < .01). The FES treatment induced a reduction in the antagonist co-contraction level associated with spasticity and these findings further support the use of FES for neurological retraining after a cerebrovascular accident.