Characteristics of head impacts sustained by youth ice hockey players

Abstract

This study aimed to measure the magnitude of head impacts sustained by 14 male, youth (13 years old) ice hockey players wearing instrumented helmets, and to compare impacts across event type (practice, game), player position, and location. Head impact magnitudes were captured during 58 games and 51 practices. Mixed linear models were utilized to analyze differences by event type, player position, and location of impact. Game impact magnitudes were significantly greater than practice impacts. Impacts sustained by forwards were similar in magnitude to those sustained by defensemen. Significant differences between head impact locations across all player positions were observed. Impacts to the top of the head were significantly greater than impacts to the back, front, left, and right sides. Youth ice hockey players sustain helmet impacts nearing 20 g on average, similar to measured values in collegiate American football players, and of potential concern because this sample involves younger athletes. Future biomechanical studies are needed to better interpret the finding that there is an increased likelihood of higher magnitude head impacts to the top of the head. The authors' long-term goal is to improve the understanding of impacts that may lead to concussions in young athletes.