044 Evaluation of body checking policy for injury prevention in non-elite adolescent ice hockey players

Are Rule Changes the Low-Hanging Fruit for Concussion Prevention in Youth Sport?

“…Supporting this, evaluation of a national evidence-informed policy change in Canada disallowing body checking at all levels of play in Peewee leagues resulted in a 64% reduction in concussion risk (incidence risk ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.22-0.58) . Preliminary analyses suggest that disallowing body checking in nonelite (lowest 60% by division of play) Bantam ice hockey (ages 13-14 years) was associated with a greater than 50% lower incidence of all injuries . An evaluation of policy change disallowing body checking in older age groups in nonelite levels may also have an important public health impact.…”

“…The effect of such policy change on game physical contacts and player performance was examined using video analysis. Preliminary analyses comparing leagues where body checking was permitted with leagues where it was not permitted suggests a significant reduction in high-intensity trunk impacts, all other player-to-player contacts, and primary (player-to-player) and secondary (player to ice surface, boards, and net) head impact . Preliminary evidence suggests no negative influence of body checking on offensive performance (eg, shots on goal and completed offensive passes) .…”

“…3 Preliminary analyses suggest that disallowing body checking in nonelite (lowest 60% by division of play) Bantam ice hockey (ages 13-14 years) was associated with a greater than 50% lower incidence of all injuries. 4 An evaluation of policy change disallowing body checking in older age groups in nonelite levels may also have an important public health impact.…”

“…Preliminary analyses comparing leagues where body checking was permitted with leagues where it was not permitted suggests a significant reduction in highintensity trunk impacts, all other player-to-player contacts, and primary (player-to-player) and secondary (player to ice surface, boards, and net) head impact. 4 Preliminary evidence suggests no negative influence of body checking on offensive performance (eg, shots on goal and completed offensive passes). 6 Further research examining player behaviors (eg, contact behaviors and penalties), game strategies (eg, incidence of body checking), and player performance is critical in evaluating the overall effect of policy change.…”

“…Ongoing evidence evaluating rule and policy changes on player contact behaviors and player performance should be generated in partnership with the sport community. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Research evidence that addresses concerns from members of the sport community is critical to inform best practice and policy in youth sport to maximize participation and counter the other burgeoning epidemic of obesity and chronic illness in our youth population. Rule changes occur frequently in elite and professional sports (eg, enforcement of head contact policies in soccer and ice hockey, instant replay laws in American football, and scrum engagement in rugby of "crouch, bind, set").…”