Division Of Play Research Articles

Introduction to the Special Issue: NCAA Division III College Athlete Development and Experience

There is abundant literature on a plethora of topics associated with intercollegiate athletics. Yet, when one begins to dig deeply into the previous literature, it becomes apparent that most of the attention of this work has focused on Division I (DI) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA]. To that end, while the NCAA Division III (DIII) level contains a greater number of institutions and more athletes than either of the other divisions of play, this group has largely been ignored throughout the previous literature (NCAA, 2021a; Williams, et al, 2020). This lack of previous literature, combined with the fact that each NCAA division has its own unique characteristics, underscore the need for additional research throughout intercollegiate sport levels of play. We sought to identify and showcase work being done to understand the well-being challenges and initiatives to enhance the Division III athlete’s experience.

Association between concussion education and concussion knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among youth ice hockey parents and coaches: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo examine the association between self-reported exposure to concussion education and knowledge, beliefs and self-reported behaviour among parents and coaches of youth ice hockey players.DesignCross-sectional.SettingCommunity ice hockey teams from Calgary...

Does disallowing body checking in non-elite 13- to 14-year-old ice hockey leagues reduce rates of injury and concussion? A cohort study in two Canadian provinces

ObjectiveTo compare rates of injury and concussion among non-elite (lowest 60% by division of play) Bantam (ages 13–14 years) ice hockey leagues that disallow body checking to non-elite Bantam leagues...

Concussion Burden, Recovery, and Risk Factors in Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players.

To examine rates of concussion and more severe concussion (time loss of greater than 10 days) in elite 13- to 17-year-old ice hockey players. This is a prospective cohort study (Alberta, Canada). Bantam (13-14 years) and Midget (15-17 years) male and female elite (top 20% by division of play) youth ice hockey players participated in this study. Players completed a demographic and medical history questionnaire and clinical test battery at the beginning of the season. A previously validated injury surveillance system was used to document exposure hours and injury during one season of play (8 months). Players with a suspected ice hockey-related concussion were referred to the study sport medicine physicians for assessment. Time loss from hockey participation was documented on an injury report form. Overall, 778 elite youth ice hockey players (659 males and 119 females; aged 13-17 years) participated in this study. In total, 143 concussions were reported. The concussion incidence rate (IR) was 17.60 concussions/100 players (95% CI, 15.09-20.44). The concussion IR was 1.31 concussions/1000 player-hours (95% CI, 1.09-1.57). Time loss of greater than 10 days was reported in 74% of cases (106/143), and 20% (n = 28) had time loss of greater than 30 days. Concussion is a common injury in elite youth ice hockey players. In this study population, a large proportion of concussions (74%) resulted in a time loss of greater than 10 days, possibly reflecting more conservative management or longer recovery in youth athletes.

Psychological impact of electrocardiogram screening in National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes

PurposeDetermine the psychological impact of false-positive ECG screening in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes.MethodsAthletes representing seven NCAA institutions received a standardised history, physical examination and ECG interpreted using the...

The risk of injury associated with body checking among Pee Wee ice hockey players: an evaluation of Hockey Canada’s national body checking policy change

BackgroundIn 2013, Hockey Canada introduced an evidence-informed policy change delaying the earliest age of introduction to body checking in ice hockey until Bantam (ages 13–14) nationwide.ObjectiveTo determine if the risk...

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A NATIONAL BODY CHECKING POLICY CHANGE ON REDUCING INJURY RISK IN YOUTH ICE HOCKEY

BackgroundIn 2013, Hockey Canada introduced an evidence-informed policy change delaying the earliest age of introduction to body checking in hockey until Bantam (ages 13–14) nationwide.ObjectiveTo determine if the risk of...

EFFECT OF PREVIOUS CONCUSSION ON SPORT-SPECIFIC SKILLS IN YOUTH ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS

BackgroundHockey Canada developed the Hockey Canada Skills Test (HCST), which measures skill acquisition and development.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of previous concussion on sport-specific skill performance in youth ice hockey players.DesignCross-sectional.SettingIce...

THE EFFECT OF BODY CHECKING POLICY CHANGE ON OFFENSIVE GAME SKILL PERFORMANCE IN 13–14 YEAR OLD ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS

BackgroundPolicy allowing body checking (BC) increases injury and concussion risk in youth ice hockey players. Hockey Calgary introduced BC policy change in 2015 that disallows BC at the Bantam (ages...

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF POLICY CHANGE ON PHYSICAL CONTACTS IN YOUTH ICE HOCKEY USING VIDEO ANALYSIS

BackgroundPolicy disallowing body checking in youth ice hockey significantly reduces the risk of injury and concussion. Based on video analysis, frequency and intensity of player to player physical contacts (PCs)...

PREVENTING CONCUSSIONS IN YOUTH ICE HOCKEY: THE EFFECT OF LOCAL BODY CHECKING POLICY CHANGE

BackgroundIn 2013, Hockey Canada announced a national policy change delaying the introduction of body checking in ice hockey until Bantam (ages 13–14). Following this change, several local organizations in Canada...

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAM SCREENING IN NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ATHLETES

BackgroundCardiovascular screening is a means to prevent sudden cardiac death in athletes. The American Heart Association has raised concerns that false-positive electrocardiogram (ECG) screening may cause undue anxiety.ObjectiveDetermine the psychological...

EFFECT OF PREVIOUS CONCUSSION OR INJURY ON SPORT-SPECIFIC SKILLS IN ELITE YOUTH ICE HOCKEY: A PILOT STUDY

BackgroundConcussions can lead to cognitive or neuromotor impairments which may influence skill performance. No published research has investigated the effect of previous concussions on sport-specific skill performance. Skill performance may...

Subjective, but not Objective, Lingering Effects of Multiple Past Concussions in Adolescents

The existing literature on lingering effects from concussions in children and adolescents is limited and mixed, and there are no clear answers for patients, clinicians, researchers, or policy makers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are lingering effects of past concussions in adolescent athletes. Participants in this study included 643 competitive Bantam and Midget hockey players (most elite 20% by division of play) between 13 and 17 years of age (mean age=15.5, SD=1.2). Concussion history at baseline assessment was retrospectively documented using a pre-season questionnaire (PSQ), which was completed at home by parents and players in advance of baseline testing. Players with English as a second language, self-reported attention or learning disorders, a concussion within 6 months of baseline, or suspected invalid test profiles were excluded from these analyses. Demographically adjusted standard scores for the five composites/domains and raw symptom ratings from the brief Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) computerized battery were analyzed. Adolescent athletes with one or two or more prior concussions did not have significantly worse neurocognitive functioning on ImPACT than did those with no previous concussions. There were significantly more symptoms reported in those with two or more prior concussions than in those with no or one prior concussion. Adolescents with multiple previous concussions had higher levels of baseline symptoms, but there were not group differences in neurocognitive functioning using this brief computerized battery.

Injury Rates, Risk Factors, and Mechanisms of Injury in Minor Hockey

Background Hockey is one of the top sports for participation in youth in Canada. There are limited data on the epidemiology of injury in youth hockey. Purpose Through implementation and validation of an injury surveillance system, youth ice hockey injury rates, risk factors, and mechanisms of injury will be examined. Study Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods During the 2004-2005 season in minor hockey in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 71 hockey teams (N = 986) were studied, including teams from each age group (Atom, 9/10 years; Pee Wee, 11/12 years; Bantam, 13/14 years; Midget, 15/16 years) and division of play (7-10 divisions per age group). A certified athletic therapist or candidate did weekly assessments of any identified hockey injury. Injury definition included any injury occurring during the regular hockey season that required medical attention, removal from a session, or missing a subsequent session. Results Of the 986 participating players, 216 players sustained a total of 296 injuries in the 2004-2005 season. The overall injury rate was 30.02 injuries per 100 players per season (95% confidence interval, 27.17-32.99) or 4.13 injuries per 1000 player hours (95% confidence interval, 3.67-4.62). Forty-five percent of all injuries occurred during body checking. Compared with the youngest age group, Atom, the risk of injury was greater in Pee Wee (relative risk, 2.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.63-5.8), Bantam (relative risk, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 2.08-7.14), and Midget (relative risk, 5.43; 95% confidence interval, 3.14-10.17) leagues. The risk of injury in Pee Wee was greatest in the most elite divisions (relative risk, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-5.81). Concussion, shoulder sprain/dislocation, and knee sprain were the most common injuries. Conclusion Significant differences in injury rates were found by age and division of play. The public health significance of body checking injury in minor hockey is great. Future research will include expansion of surveillance to further examine body checking injuries and prevention strategies in minor hockey.

Wheelchair Racquetball: A Preliminary Time Motion Analysis

Wheelchair racquetball players in the A and B divisions of the 1989 Canadian Racquetball Championships were videotaped and their performances were analyzed. The results indicated that the athletes had an exercise-to-pause ratio of 1:1.5 at the A level and 1:2.3 at the B level. Rallies were slightly longer at the higher level, with substantially longer pause periods at the B level. There was a higher percentage of longer rallies at the A level, although both divisions of play had comparable percentages of forehand and backhand shots. A-level players demonstrated greater distances covered per rally, greater wheelchair speed, and a higher degree of wheelchair maneuverability measured by the number and magnitude of directional changes. In particular, A-level players showed a greater tendency to use small directional corrections, particularly turns to the right of less than 45 °. It is suggested that this action allowed a less restricted backswing for powerful forehand shots.

The Play World of Camping: Research Into the Social Meaning of Outdoor Recreation

Two types of play-action systems-expressive and symbolic labor-are compared to indicate the theoretical value in studying outdoor recreation. Of several possible issues, two are treated: (1) conjugal solidarity and the division of play, and (2) continuities and discontinuities in player identities. For some classes of players symbolic labor systems appear to be more conducive to the development of conjugal solidarity and the provision of continuity in player identities.