Epidemiology of Traumatic and Overuse Injuries in Swiss Professional Male Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

Background: Ice hockey injury patterns in Europe were last evaluated in the 1990s. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency, type, location, and incidence of traumatic injuries, as well as the prevalence and relative effect of overuse injuries in professional male ice hockey players. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Traumatic injuries were assessed using a standardized injury report form over a 1-year period (including the preparatory phase and season). The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire was used to determine overall and substantial overuse injuries and their relative effect on ice hockey players. Results: Five Swiss National League teams participated in the study. From a total of 321 recorded injuries, 179 led to time loss from sport. The game-related time-loss injury incidence during the season was 88.6/1000 player-game hours.Time-loss injuries affected mainly the hip/groin/thigh region (23%), followed by the head (17%). Most time-loss injuries were classified as muscle strains (24%), followed by concussions (18%). The most common injury mechanism involved collision with an opponent’s body (31%), and right forward players (23%) were most likely to report a game-related injury. Most injuries (27%) occurred within the defending zone along the boards. The average prevalence rates of all overuse and substantial overuse injuries were 49% and 13%, respectively. The hip/groin displayed the highest average prevalence for all overuse problems (16%), translating to the highest relative effect. Conclusion: Muscle strains and concussions were the most frequent time-loss injuries in Swiss professional ice hockey players. The hip/groin was the most affected region for both traumatic and overuse injuries.

Prevalence and Burden of Self-Reported Health Problems in Junior Male Elite Ice Hockey Players: A 44-Week Prospective Cohort Study

“…The prevalence of substantial overuse injuries was only 5%, meaning that few overuse injuries affected performance or participation. This rate is lower than previous findings in professional ice hockey 6,20 and previous studies 2,10,11,14,18,27 using the same methodology in other sports. The hip/groin and knee were the regions most commonly affected by overuse injuries, in accordance with previous findings in professional ice hockey.…”

“…The hip/groin and knee were the regions most commonly affected by overuse injuries, in accordance with previous findings in professional ice hockey. 6,20 The burden of overuse injuries in our study is comparable with the main injured areas for acute injuries. The prevalence of overuse injuries should encourage ice hockey teams and organizations to emphasize the prevention of not only acute injuries but also overuse injuries.…”

“…Previous studies on elite ice hockey players have suggested that overuse injuries represent a relevant problem. 6,15 A previous study on professional ice hockey players in the Norwegian premier professional league (GET League) did capture a greater burden from overuse injuries than traditional injury registration, but acute injuries still represented the main problem. 20 In some other sports, the burden of overuse injuries and illnesses has been shown to be comparable with that of acute injuries.…”

Injuries to Ice Hockey Referees and Linesmen: A Survey of International Ice Hockey Federation Officials

“…A recent epidemiology study looking at Swiss ice hockey teams found the most injuries to involve the hip and groin, followed by concussions. 7 A study of ice hockey players at the IIHF World U20 and U18 Championships identified a high percentage of head/face injuries (lacerations and concussions) in the U20 group. 34 The shoulder was the most commonly injured area in the U18 group.…”

Scoping Review of Injuries in Amateur and Professional Men’s Ice Hockey: Response

“…7 We made every attempt to ensure our search strategy was explicit, transparent, and as comprehensive as possible. 2,4 We believe that the issue causing frustration as described in the letter to the editor-the omission of the authors' articles 1,5 from our scoping review-is a result that can occur during any scoping review. Unfortunately, the two studies 1,5 were inadvertently and inexplicably not captured by our initial literature search, for which we apologize.…”