A comparison of frequency and magnitude of head impacts between Pee Wee And Bantam youth ice hockey

A video analysis examination of the frequency and type of head impacts for player positions in youth ice hockey and FE estimation of their impact severity

This research employed head impact frequency and frequency of estimated strain to analyse the influence of player position on brain trauma in U15 and U18 youth ice hockey. The methods involved a video analysis of 30 U15 and 30 U18 games where frequency, type of head impact event, and player position during impact was recorded. These impacts were then simulated in the laboratory using physical reconstructions and finite element modelling to determine the brain strains for each impact category. U15 forwards experienced significantly higher head impact frequencies (139) when compared to defenceman (50), with goalies showing the lowest frequency (6) (p < 0.05). U18 forwards experienced significantly higher head impact frequencies (220) when compared to defenceman (92), with goalies having the least frequent head impacts (4) (p < 0.05). The U15 forwards had a significantly higher frequency of head impacts at the very low and med strains and the U18s had higher frequency of head impacts for the very low and low level strains (p < 0.05). Game rule changes and equipment innovation may be considered to mitigate the increased risk faced by forwards compared to other positions in U15 and U18 youth ice hockey.

Head Trauma Exposure in Mixed Martial Arts

Combat sports training involves a high risk of head injury. Previously published research on head trauma exposure in MMA evaluated only the knockouts (KO), without calculating all head strikes. The aim of the research was to evaluate the total head trauma exposure during MMA competitions among male and female fighters. Two thousand four hundred and eighty-eight MMA fights from all numbered UFC events between 2000 and 2021 were analyzed. A database containing the results from officially published scorecards with information such as the outcome of a fight, its duration, number of strikes (significant and total amount of hits) depending on location and knockdowns was created. Additional video verification of the knockout technique was carried out. The athletes received an average of 2.41 significant head strikes out of a total of 6.30 head strikes per minute. Head strikes were more common in female fights than in male. Women executed more total and significant head strikes per minute than men. Head trauma caused the ending of 31.6% of all fights-more often in male fights (32.2%) than female (23.1%). It was the most common cause of knockouts-88.1%. Professional fights in mixed martial arts involve high exposure to head trauma. A careful evaluation of the risk involved in training in such a discipline is necessary to provide adequate prevention methods.

Influence of play type on the magnitude and number of head impacts sustained in youth American football

The magnitude and number of head impacts experienced by young American football players are associated with negative brain health outcomes and may be affected by play-type strategies. The purpose of this research was to examine how play type affects the magnitude and number of head impacts in youth American tackle football. Head impacts were recorded for 30 games in the 5-9 age category and 30 games in the 9-14 age category. Impacts using physical and finite element models were conducted to determine the brain strain. Run plays had a higher head impact frequency in both age groups (p < 0.05). This increase in head impacts was consistent for all positions (p < 0.05), except wide receiver, and offensive line and defensive back in the 9-14 age group (p > 0.05). Both age groups experienced significantly different magnitude proportions with higher numbers of very low and low strain magnitude impacts during run plays (p < 0.05), and a higher proportion of moderate magnitude impacts in the 5-9 age category (p < 0.05). This data can be used to inform and educate teams and coaches and influence decisions around the use of runs and passing plays that may lead to a decrease in head impacts.

Exposure to brain trauma in six age divisions of minor ice hockey

Acute and chronic neurological risks associated with brain trauma sustained in professional ice hockey has generated concern for youth participants. Minor hockey is a different game when compared to elite players presenting distinctive risk factors for each age division. Objective measures of brain trauma exposure were documented for six divisions in minor ice hockey; U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U18. Game video analysis, physical reconstruction and computational modelling was employed to capture the event conditions, frequency of impacts, frequency of high strain magnitude (>0.17) impacts, and cumulative trauma. The results showed proportional differences in the event conditions; event type, closing velocity, and head impact location, informing the improvement of age appropriate protection, testing protocols, and safety standards. Frequency of events were highest for U7 when players were learning to skate, and again in U18 as game physicality increases. No significant difference was observed in frequency of high magnitude impacts across age divisions. A peak in high magnitude impacts was empirically observed at both U7 and U15 where skill development in skating and body checking, respectively, were most prominent. Finally, a cumulative trauma metric incorporating frequency and magnitude of impacts provided a detailed analysis of trauma exposure provides for a targeted approach to managing injury risk specific to age division. Objective measures of brain trauma exposure identified in the current study are important to inform strategy, guide legislation and initiate policy for safe play in minor ice hockey.