Reality Check 2: The Cost-Effectiveness of Policy Disallowing Body Checking in Non-Elite 13- to 14-Year-Old Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

Sport-related injuries are the leading cause of injury in youth and are costly to the healthcare system. When body checking is disallowed in non-elite levels of Bantam (ages 13–14 years) ice hockey, the injury rate is reduced, but the impact on costs is unknown. This study compared rates of game injuries and costs among non-elite Bantam ice hockey leagues that disallow body checking to those that did not. Methods: An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a prospective cohort study comparing 608 players from leagues where body checking was allowed in games (Calgary/Edmonton 2014–2015, Edmonton 2015–2016) with 396 players from leagues where it was not allowed in games (Vancouver, Kelowna 2014–2015, Calgary in 2015–2016). The effectiveness measure was rate of game injuries per 1000 player-hours. Costs were estimated based on associated healthcare use within the publicly funded healthcare system as well as privately paid healthcare costs. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted using bootstrapping. Results: Disallowing body checking reduced the rate of injuries by 4.32 per 1000 player-hours (95% CI −6.92, −1.56) and reduced public and total healthcare system costs by $1556 (95% CI −$2478, −$559) and $1577 (95% CI −$2629, −$500) per 1000 player-hours, respectively. These finding were robust in over 99% of iterations in sensitivity analyses in the public healthcare and the total healthcare system perspectives. There was no statistically significant difference in privately paid healthcare costs (−$65 per 1000 player-hours (95% CI −$220, $99)). Interpretation: Disallowing body checking in non-elite 13–14-year-old ice hockey nationally would prevent injuries and reduce public healthcare costs.

Shoulder Check: Investigating Shoulder Injury Rates, Types, Severity, Mechanisms, and Risk Factors in Canadian Youth Ice Hockey

“…11,12,15,19,20 As it appears that participation in a non-body checking leagues conferred a strong protective effect on shoulder IRs, this signifies the need for further policy implications and prevention strategies to be considered because it may result in injury reductions and health care cost-savings for youth ice hockey players. 21,22 An athlete's history of a previous musculoskeletal injury or concussion in the previous 12 months was identified as a shoulder injury risk factor among ice hockey players. It may be hypothesized that these players are returning to sport too soon, potentially placing them at risk for reinjury.…”

“…11,12,15,19,20 As it appears that participation in a non–body checking leagues conferred a strong protective effect on shoulder IRs, this signifies the need for further policy implications and prevention strategies to be considered because it may result in injury reductions and health care cost-savings for youth ice hockey players. 21,22…”

Correction: Currie et al. Reality Check 2: The Cost-Effectiveness of Policy Disallowing Body Checking in Non-Elite 13- to 14-Year-Old Ice Hockey Players. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 6322

“…There was an error in our original publication [ 1 ]. We identified an error in the coding of exposure data, which affected our estimates of rates of injury and costs per 1000 player-hours reported in the original paper.…”