Hockey Participation Research Articles

The Involvement, Flow Experience, and Happiness at the 2022 National Chung-Cheng Cup Hockey Tournament

This study investigated the relationship between hockey participants’ involvement, flow experience, and happiness. This study used a questionnaire method to collect data. A total of 300 questionnaires were administered to hockey participants from 2022/12/06 to 2022/12/11 at the National Chushan Senior High School hockey field using a convenience sampling method. After deducting the 12 questionnaires with incomplete answers, the total number of valid questionnaires was 288, with a validity rate of 96.0%. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for descriptive statistics to understand the distribution of sample attributes. Smart PLS 3 was used to analyze the convergent validity, discriminant validity, goodness of fit, and hypothesis validation of the hockey participants’ involvement, flow experience, and happiness models. The results suggest that the 2022 National Chung-Cheng Cup Hockey Tournament participants’ involvement, flow experience, and happiness models had good convergent validity, discriminant validity, and goodness of fit. The involvement of hockey participants in the sport significantly influenced the flow experience (path coefficient of 0.818*). The flow experience had moderate to high explanatory power (R2 = 0.669). The involvement of hockey participants in the sport significantly affected happiness (path coefficient 0.215*), flow experience significantly affected happiness (path coefficient of 0.294*), and happiness had a moderate to high explanatory power (R2 = 0.236). We propose specific recommendations for hockey promotion organizations and future studies based on this study's results.

The intention-to-treat effect of changes in planned participation on injury risk in adolescent ice hockey players: A target trial emulation

ObjectivesTarget trial emulation is a framework for conducting causal inference using observational data. We employ this framework to estimate the effect of changing planned participation duration, measured using the acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR), on injury risk among adolescent ice hockey players without recent injuries. DesignProspective cohort study designed to emulate a hypothetical randomized trial. MethodsWe used data from a 5-year cohort study (2013–2018) of ice hockey players aged 13–17 years in Alberta and British Columbia. We estimated injury risks associated with different planned changes in hockey participation duration (e.g. half [ACWR = 0.5], no change [ACWR = 1], two-fold [ACWR = 2], three-fold [ACWR = 3], and five-fold [ACWR = 5]) relative to participation in the previous 4 weeks. Outcomes were modeled using generalized additive models. We conducted secondary analyses restricted to concussions, and stratified by league bodychecking status. ResultsThere were 2633 eligible participants, contributing 115,821 player-trials. Injury risk was 1.9 % (95 % CI: 1.7 %–2.3 %) for no change in participation (ACWR = 1). Injury risk ratios (RRs) were 0.43 at ACWR = 0.5 (95 % CI: 0.31–0.54), 1.62 (95 % CI: 1.33–1.98) at ACWR = 2, 1.91 at ACWR = 3 (95 % CI: 1.52–2.48) and 2.35 at ACWR = 5 (95 % CI: 1.68–3.26). Patterns were similar by league bodychecking status. Concussion RRs were stable between ACWR = 1 and 1.5, but RRs were greater than for any injury past ACWR = 2. ConclusionsWithin the assumptions of this target trial emulation, injury risk increases consistently (no sweet spots) for increases in planned changes in participation duration relative to the previous 4 weeks among adolescent ice hockey players without recent injuries. Injuries in injury risk are less than expected for the increased exposure time at risk, suggesting beneficial effects of increasing participation that partially counteract the increased exposure time.

Sports Narratives and Historical Nationalism: Re-Visiting the Context and Use of Field Hockey in Chak De! India

Indian cinema is known for its dramatic narratives that celebrate emotionally elevated visual spectacles through which people from different sociocultural backgrounds come across popular domains of cultural practices, social norms and historical realities that unify them. Field hockey belongs to the popular realm of sports in India which is part of the country’s national identity. India’s participation and success in field hockey at the Olympic Games make it one of the country’s most successful international sports. Indian film narratives about field hockey help to create public discourse about how the sport has historically played a role in shaping national pride and identity in India. Hockey evokes nationalism by symbolizing historical achievements, unity, and cultural identity, inspiring pride and patriotism through the portrayal of heroes, national symbols, and emotional narratives in media and public discourse. The film Chak De! India portrays Indian hockey as a patriotic unifying national narrative and as an empowering discourse that can upend traditional gender stereotypes. It delineates that hockey not only acts as a sports game for entertainment but is an indicator of nationalistic significance and cultural identity that elevates the emotional realm of Indians through the notion of patriotism.

Experiences of volt hockey from family members’ perspectives: an interview study

Volt hockey is a team sport developed for persons with physical disabilities. Because family members are important resources to enable sports participation, the purpose of this study was to illuminate experiences of volt hockey from family members’ perspectives. Focus group interviews were conducted, including 20 family members, and the verbatim transcripts were inductively analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Family members saw the value of enabling participation in volt hockey, being an inclusive team sport that brings enjoyment and strengthens social relationships within, and outside of, the family. Trying to facilitate sport participation, the need for material resources and other actors was emphasised, such as personal assistance, funders, and healthcare professionals informing about the sport and the engagement of the volt hockey clubs. In conclusion, involvement in volt hockey is emotionally and socially rewarding for family members, but there is a need for additional enablers to allow the sport to grow.

‘The Cheering Was Loud and Long’: Practical Feminism and the England Women’s Hockey Tour of Australia in 1927

Australian women’s hockey was the first women’s team sport to establish itself nationally in Australia and the first to play an international match – 1914 against England. In 1925, the All Australia Women’s Hockey Association (AAWHA) invited England to send a team to tour Australia. On October 26, 1926, Mysie Davy, the AAWHA’s international secretary, announced England’s acceptance to tour in 1927 to Sydney’s field hockey community at a fête at the Sydney Town Hall. After Davy’s announcement, it was reported that ‘the cheering was loud and long’. The 1927 English team toured Australia for nine weeks and played 19 matches, including three Test matches against Australia. In studying this tour, there is engagement with the concept of practical feminism introduced by feminist sport scholar Jean Williams in her analysis of the experiences of England’s national women’s field hockey touring teams during the inter-war years. Further, building upon Williams’ work by expanding the practical feminism analysis to cover the opportunities experienced by the English team and a cross-section of Australian women’s field hockey participants, the concept’s application to all levels of field hockey is broadened.

Acute Effects of Ice Hockey on Hip Range of Motion, Strength, and Pelvic Tilt in Competitive Male Players.

Ice hockey players are at high risk for hip and groin injury. Several risk factors have been identified or proposed, including lower hip rotation range of motion (ROM), lower hip adductor strength, lower ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength, and lower pelvic tilt angle. It is not known how these risk factors change acutely with ice hockey participation. Acute exposure to ice hockey will result in a reduction in ROM, strength, and pelvic tilt angle in competitive male players. Controlled cohort study. Level 3. Risk factors for hip and groin injury, including isometric hip adductor strength at 0° of flexion, the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength, total hip rotation passive ROM in supine, and the resting pelvic tilt angle, were assessed immediately before, immediately after, and 24 hours after an ice hockey exposure in 42 competitive male ice hockey players. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected to identify the intensity of the exposure. There was a significant decrease in total hip rotation ROM (-7.32°, P < 0.01 (-3.91, -10.70)) and hip adductor strength (-4.41 kg, P < 0.01 (-2.81, -6.00) immediately after the exposure, and a significant decrease in total hip rotation ROM (-18.54°, P < 0.01 (-14.35, -22.73)), hip adductor strength (-6.56 kg, P < 0.01 (-4.58, -8.61)), and the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength (-0.12, P < 0.01 (-0.21, -0.45)) 24 hours after. There was no significant change in pelvic tilt found in this study immediately after or 24 hours after. There was a moderate relationship between changes in hip adductor strength and changes in the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength (r = 0.433, P < 0.01). RPE was not significantly correlated to any of the changes observed. Risk factors for hip and groin injury in ice hockey players are modifiable after a single ice hockey exposure. The identified fluctuation of injury risk factors for hip and groin injury in ice hockey players has implications for injury risk profiling, rehabilitation, and return-to-competition decision-making.

A Study on the Relationship Between Sports Engagement Sports Passion and Group Cohesion of College Ice Hockey Participants

A Study on the Relationship Between Sports Engagement Sports Passion and Group Cohesion of College Ice Hockey Participants

Epidemiological analysis of concussions in youth ice hockey players: A national emergency department database study

PurposeTo evaluate the epidemiology of concussions in youth ice hockey players. MethodsThe National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was used to gather data. Concussions occurring during ice hockey participation in youth patients (4–21 years old) from 2012 to 2021 was gathered. Concussion mechanisms were grouped into 7 categories: head-to-player, head-to-puck, head-to-ice, head-to-board/glass, head-to-stick, head-to-goal post, and unknown. Hospitalization rates were also tabulated. Linear regression models were used to assess changes in yearly concussion and hospitalization rates over the study period. Results from these models were reported using parameter estimates [with 95% confidence intervals (CI)] and the estimated Pearson correlation coefficient. Additionally, logistic regression was used to model the risk of hospitalization across the different cause categories. ResultsA total of 819 ice hockey related concussions were analyzed between 2012 and 2021. The average age of our cohort was 13.4 years, with 89.3% (n = 731) of concussions occurring in males. The incidence of head-to-ice, head-to-board/glass, head-to-player, and head-to-puck concussion mechanisms decreased significantly over the study period (slope estimate = −2.1 concussions/year [CI: (−3.9, −0.2)], r = −0.675, p = 0.032), (slope estimate = −2.7 concussions/year [CI: (−4.3, −1.2)], r = −0.816, p = 0.004), (slope estimate = −2.2 concussions/year [CI: (−3.4, −1.0)], r = −0.832, p = 0.003), and (slope estimate = −0.4 concussions/year [CI: (−0.62, −0.09)], r = −0.768, p = 0.016), respectively. Majority of patients were discharged from the emergency department (ED) to their home, as only 20 people (2.4%) were hospitalized over our study period. The majority of concussions were due to head-to-ice (n = 285, 34.8%), followed by head-to-board/glass (n = 217, 26.5%) and head-to-player (n = 207, 25.3%). The most common cause for hospitalizations due to concussions was head-to-board/glass (n = 7, 35%), followed by head-to-player (n = 6, 30%) and head-to-ice (n = 5, 25%). ConclusionThe most common mechanism of youth ice hockey concussions was head-to-ice in our 10-year study period, while head-to-board/glass was the most common cause of hospitalizations. IRBThis project did not require review by the institutional review board.

Moderate and High Sport Specialization Level in Ice Hockey Athletes Is Associated With Symptomatic Cam Deformity.

There is a known association between ice hockey and cam deformity in growing athletes. Similarly, the association between sport specialization and overuse injury in youth athletes has been well established. Limited research exists examining the relationship between cam deformity and sport specialization. Our hypothesis was that there would be a positive association with cam deformity and sport specialization category. Retrospective chart review and cross-sectional questionnaire study. Level 4. Study participants included athletes aged 15 to 25 years with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and considered ice hockey as their primary sport. All participants had completed Dunn lateral radiographs or hip magnetic resonance imaging as part of their clinical evaluation. All participants completed a survey regarding sport specialization level. Multivariable linear regression analysis controlling for sex was used to analyze the association between degree of sport specialization, age of sport specialization, position played, and level played. Comparisons in radiographic parameters across ice hockey groups were conducted using Student t tests and chi-square tests. Sixty-six ice hockey participants made up the cohort. The majority reported high sport specialization (41/66, 62%). The mean age of sport specialization was 10.7 years (SD 3.5). Participants with moderate specialization had 25 times the odds of a cam deformity (odds ratio [OR] 25.2; 95% CI 1.5-410.7; P = 0.02) and those with high specialization had 9 times the odds of cam deformity (OR 9.3; 95% CI 1.2-74.2; P = 0.04) compared with those with a low degree of specialization, controlling for patient sex. No association was detected between the age of specialization and the likelihood of cam deformity when controlling for patient sex. Level of sport specialization was associated with a cam deformity in this cohort of youth ice hockey athletes. This study suggests that an association exists.

World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy World Congress 2022 Peer-Reviewed Track Abstracts, May 5–7, 2022, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy World Congress 2022 Peer-Reviewed Track Abstracts, May 5–7, 2022, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Junior hockey’s impact on psychosocial development

ABSTRACT Junior hockey is an elite sport development model impacting over 20,000 adolescent athletes each year. Participation in junior hockey requires adolescents, 16–21 years old, to move away from home, disrupt academics, and participate in intense sport development models during critical developmental years. The influence of junior hockey on long-term psychosocial development is unknown. The present research measured developmental outcomes of college-enrolled former junior hockey players utilizing the Student Development Task and Lifestyle Assessment (SDTLA) and the Athlete Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS). Statistical analyses examined the impact of junior hockey on measures of athletic identity and psychosocial development, along with comparisons to a representative population of male college students. Findings indicate junior hockey’s contribution to increased athletic identity and delays in aspects of psychosocial development compared to normative populations of male college students. Recommendations are provided for junior hockey shareholders towards improving developmental outcomes associated with junior hockey.

Wheelchair hockey improves quality of life in people with neuromuscular disease.

Participation in sports is known to have positive effects on people's health and psychosocial well-being. Recently, physical activity implications for people with disabilities have been explored, showing promising results on quality of life and self-concept. However, few studies have specifically investigated the effects of participation in adaptive sports on quality of life in patients with neuromuscular disease. To evaluate differences in psychosocial well-being between people affected by a neuromuscular disease who play wheelchair hockey and those who do not. Individuals playing an adaptive sport would report better quality of life, higher physical self-efficacy scores, and more effective coping strategies, as assessed by self-reported measures. Cross-sectional study. Data were collected during clinical follow-ups at the NEMO Clinical Center in Milan (Italy). A total of 25 patients affected by neuromuscular diseases, ages 18 to 40 years, participated in the study. Not applicable. The primary outcome was to compare quality of life between groups. Secondary outcomes were the comparisons of physical self-efficacy and coping strategies through self-reported measures. Wheelchair hockey players scored significantly higher on the Quality of Life Index (specifically on the health/functioning and psychological/spiritual sub-scales) and reported better physical self-efficacy and perceived physical ability compared to the control group (i.e., patients who do not participate in any adaptive sport), controlling for age and pathology. On the contrary, no difference was found in coping strategies between the two groups. This study identified a significant association between participation in wheelchair hockey and improved physical and psychological well-being of people affected by neuromuscular diseases compared to those who are not involved in adaptive sports.

Hip and groin function and strength in male ice hockey players with and without hip and groin problems in the previous season- a prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo describe and compare hip and groin strength and function of male ice hockey players over one season in players with and without hip and groin problems in the previous season. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingSwedish male ice hockey. ParticipantsWe followed 193 players from 10 teams during the 2017/2018 season. Main outcome measuresHip adduction and abduction strength, 5 s squeeze test (5SST), and self-reported hip and groin function (Hip and Groin Outcome Score). Changes over the season and differences between players with and without problems in the previous season were analyzed by linear mixed models. ResultsAdduction strength decreased slightly from pre-to mid-season and abduction strength increased slightly over the full season. However, self-reported function or pain did not change. Players with hip and groin problems in the previous season had significantly worse self-reported function, and more groin pain during the 5SST compared to players without. Strength measurments did not differ between groups. ConclusionsHip muscle strength, groin pain, and self-reported function appear to remain stable throughout the season in male ice hockey players. Remaining impairments in players with problems in the previous season suggest that function does not recover by ice hockey participation alone.

Head Impact Exposure in American High School Football and Ice Hockey: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To prospectively investigate the relationship between head impact (HI) exposure, neuropsychological performance, and reported symptoms in youth football and ice hockey players in the United States. We hypothesized that exposure to greater linear and rotational forces would be associated with neuropsychological inefficiency and increased symptoms. <h3>Design</h3> Longitudinal prospective cohort over the course of one year. <h3>Setting</h3> General community. <h3>Participants</h3> Volunteer sample comprised of male student-athletes with current or planned participation in American football or ice hockey who were within 90 days of starting 10th or 11th grades (N=34). Those who had significant developmental, academic, or neurologic history or did not complete one year follow up (n=9) were excluded. <h3>Interventions</h3> Not applicable. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Linear and rotational acceleration/deceleration forces were measured via helmet sensors (football) and mouth guards (ice hockey). Participant background (past medical history of specific learning disorder, attention disorder, mood or anxiety disorder, or headache/migraine), neuropsychological testing (ImPACT, paper/pencil measures), concussion history, and symptom report (PCSS) were gathered during preseason (PS) and at one year follow up (FU). Neuropsychological inefficiency (NPI, Beauchamp, 2015) at FU and change in total reported symptoms were calculated. <h3>Results</h3> Participant background and previous concussion were associated with increased odds of NPI (all odds ratios=5.57-15.76, all ps=0.24-0.27) and symptom increase at FU (all OR=1.56-5.57, all p=0.26-0.85), albeit none were statistically significant. No significant associations were observed for HI exposure variables. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In this pilot study, we did not observe statistically significant associations between HI exposure and neuropsychological inefficiency or increased symptoms at one year follow up. Larger studies with a broader participant pool (e.g., additional contact sports, females) and longer-term follow-up are warranted to corroborate these findings. If the present findings are substantiated, results would support safe participation in contact sports. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.

Assessing a “Hybrid” Approach to Preseason Baseline Neuropsychological Testing in High School Student Athletes

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To assess a "hybrid" adolescent test battery comprised of computerized and paper and pencil (P&P) measures to determine the extent of common variance for the purpose of streamlining clinical assessment. <h3>Design</h3> Validation cohort. <h3>Setting</h3> General community. <h3>Participants</h3> Volunteer sample comprised of male and female student-athletes with current or planned participation in American football, hockey, and soccer who were within 90 days of starting 10th or 11th grades (N=72). Participants who had significant developmental, academic, or neurologic history or did not complete neuropsychological testing were excluded (n=3). <h3>Interventions</h3> Not applicable. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Participants (N=69) completed computerized (ImPACT) and P&P measures during preseason. P&P battery was modeled from the NHL/MLS neuropsychological test battery using comparable, adolescent-normed measures (DKEFS Trail Making Test, Color Word Inhibition, and Verbal Fluency; CVLT). <h3>Results</h3> We performed principal component analysis with promax rotation to determine components of the hybrid battery that maximized variance of the data (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin factor adequacy=0.71). Our analysis revealed four independent factors (verbal memory, ImPACT testing, verbal fluency, and processing speed/executive functioning), explaining 75% of the variance. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The findings of this study in adolescent student-athletes support those from adults demonstrating the independence of ImPACT and P&P measures in assessing neuropsychological functioning. Providers should be aware of limitations in using standalone ImPACT to evaluate cognitive domains frequently impacted by concussion. If confirmed by larger studies, our findings suggest that a hybrid battery of computerized and P&P measures provides a more comprehensive scope of adolescent cognitive functioning to better inform recovery decisions, including return to play. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> No disclosures to report.

Evaluating Adult Decision-Making Modifiers in Support of Youth Contact-Sport Participation.

Nearly 44 million youth participate in organized youth sports programs in the United States each year. However, approximately 25% of parents have considered removing their children from sports due to the fear of concussion. To determine which adult decision-making modifiers (eg, gender, educational attainment, career type) influenced support for youth contact-sports participation. Cross-sectional study. Midwestern university and medical center. Convenience sample of staff and faculty (N = 5761; 73.9% female) from 2017 to 2018. Support for youth contact-sports participation using multivariate binary logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and 95% CIs. The sample was split between adults with children (AWCs; n = 3465, age = 45.39 ± 13.27 years, 76.72% female) and adults without children (AWOCs; n = 2296, age = 30.84 ± 9.01 years, 70.26% female). Among AWCs, those who obtained a bachelor's degree or higher were more likely to support contact-sports participation. Females were more inclined to allow all contact sports, specifically football (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.64, 3.01) and ice hockey (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.42, 2.78). Overall, previous adult sport participation, increasing number of children, and child gender were significant modifying variables in greater support of youth contact-sports participation among AWCs (P < .001). Among AWOCs, previous sport participation in football (OR = 3.27; 95% CI = 2.14, 4.87), ice hockey (OR = 4.26; 95% CI = 2.23, 8.17), or soccer (OR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.48, 3.54) increased the likelihood of an adult supporting contact-sports participation. Lastly, all adults were less inclined to support a daughter participating in any contact sport than a son. These results reveal adult- and child-specific variables that may influence youth contact-sports participation. These decisions may be developed through the lens of certain gender role beliefs and may lead adults to perceive certain sports as more appropriate for sons than daughters.

Youth development and hockey in Heilongjiang and Beijing: comparative forms of growing youth hockey participation and interest in China

This research focused on examining hockey development models in two different areas in China, Heilongjiang and Beijing. We employed a comparative case study and the concept of political economy and sport to analyze two developing models of hockey development in China. Findings indicated that Heilongjiang and Beijing have framed different strategies for hockey development with their own resources. The model of Heilongjiang is suitable for traditional hockey areas whereas Beijing’s model is suitable for more developed cities in southern China.

Standing on the ice: experiences of women national ice hockey players in Turkey

Abstract The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine within the framework of symbolic interaction theory and field theory how women national ice hockey players understand ice hockey through their experiences. Semi-structured interviews were used to understand the experiences of 21 ice hockey players from the Turkish women’s national team, and themes were developed from the data using the thematic analysis methods. A total of three main themes and two sub-themes were created after the analysis. In this context, three main themes related to the theoretical framework were established: “Symbolic Meanings: A Strong Ice Hockey Player,” “Ice Hockey As a Life Space,” and “A Hard Fight On the Ice.” In addition, under the main theme of “Ice Hockey As a Life Space” are two sub-themes: “World of Emotions” and “Constraints.” Ice hockey is perceived by women players as a living space that expresses a firm stance towards life. Despite the presence of traces of the concept of gender, ice hockey is not seen as a fully gendered area by Turkish players. In general, women players reported the lack of financial and social support as limiting factors for participation in ice hockey, while moral support and high motivation were supporting factors.

Who’s The North? The Challenge that Immigration and Diversity Present to the Dominance of Hockey in 21st Century Canada

This paper examines how the growing diversity of Canada’s population has modified the viewership and participation in what is widely considered the country’s national sport: hockey. Using several quantitative sources, we contend that while hockey remains the country’s most popular sport, its domination is increasingly challenged by the attraction to soccer and basketball amongst the expanding numbers of Canadians of non-European origins. The paper also considers how the demographic shifts will influence the extent to which youth participation in hockey remains a key vector in promoting belonging to Canada. In this regard, we found that hockey is relatively unchallenged as the sport that contributes most to a stronger sense of local belonging amongst newcomers.

“I feel more Canadian with hockey.” Identity and Belonging via Ice Hockey in a Diverse Canada

This paper explores the relationship between the participation in organized ice hockey by immigrants and racialized minorities (compared to those born in Canada and who are white) and their sense of national identity and sense of belonging to Canada. A Bourdieusian theoretical framework is utilized to conceptualize hockey in terms of a field, habitus, and cultural and symbolic capital. The argument is made that hockey is Janus-faced and a contested terrain with a tension between exclusion and inclusion whereby human agency is vitally important. Yet the hockey arena and engagement in the game, either as players or fans or in some other capacity, provides a multicultural common space potentially enabling an interactive pluralism amongst diverse communities. The data are derived from qualitative semi-structured interviews with hockey players, fans and key informants in Calgary and Toronto. Overall, the findings show that for most immigrants and racialized minorities engaged in organized ice hockey, there is more likely a sense of Canadian national identity and a sense of belonging to Canada compared to the Canadian-born and to whites. These findings further add to the value of making hockey more inclusive via equity, diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives.