Biomechanics of head impacts associated with diagnosed concussion in female collegiate ice hockey players

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence suggests that female athletes may be at a greater risk of concussion than their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to examine the biomechanics of head impacts associated with diagnosed concussions in a cohort of female collegiate ice hockey players. Instrumented helmets were worn by 58 female ice hockey players from 2 NCAA programs over a three year period. Kinematic measures of single impacts associated with diagnosed concussion and head impact exposure on days with and without diagnosed concussion were evaluated. Nine concussions were diagnosed. Head impact exposure was greater in frequency and magnitude on days of diagnosed concussions than on days without diagnosed concussion for individual athletes. Peak linear acceleration of head impacts associated with diagnosed concussion in this study are substantially lower than those previously reported in male athletes, while peak rotational accelerations are comparable. Further research is warranted to determine the extent to which female athletes’ biomechanical tolerance to concussion injuries differs from males.

Head-Impact–Measurement Devices: A Systematic Review

“…Researchers have reported average rotational values of 4030 rad/s 2 for females 107 and values ranging from 1307 to 5419 rad/s 2 for males. 43,61,62 The recorded linear magnitude of the only youth ice hockey concussion reported in the literature was 31.8g, and the rotational value was 2911 rad/s 2 . This impact represented the lowest recorded linear magnitude in the sample and was in the lowest 50% for recorded rotational accelerations.…”

“…Most research has involved male athletes, predominantly in football (n ¼ 40),* ice hockey (n ¼ 12), 16,[42][43][44][45]61,62,[76][77][78][79][80] soccer (n ¼ 4), 87,[93][94][95] and boxing (n ¼ 1). 89 Males sustained more impacts in ice hockey and boxing than females did.…”

“…40,72 A total of 6 collegiate ice hockey concussions were captured using the HITS. Linear values ranged from 30.7g to 31.7g in an all-male sample 61,62 (n ¼ 2) and 30.4g to 52.2g in an all-female sample 43 (n ¼ 4). Researchers have reported average rotational values of 4030 rad/s 2 for females 107 and values ranging from 1307 to 5419 rad/s 2 for males.…”

Biomechanical Perspectives on Concussion in Sport

“…In ice hockey, researchers have used helmet-mounted accelerometer arrays to analyze head impacts similarly to football. 33,34 Wilcox et al measured nine concussions in female hockey players with an average peak linear head acceleration 43 ± 12g, and a peak rotational acceleration of 4030 ± 1435 rad/s 2 . 34 In soccer, the most common mechanism of concussion is contact with another player (ie, head to head contact) although most impacts occur in heading the ball.…”

“…33,34 Wilcox et al measured nine concussions in female hockey players with an average peak linear head acceleration 43 ± 12g, and a peak rotational acceleration of 4030 ± 1435 rad/s 2 . 34 In soccer, the most common mechanism of concussion is contact with another player (ie, head to head contact) although most impacts occur in heading the ball. 35,36 Withnall et al reconstructed head impact events in FIFA soccer matches.…”