Oral Presentations and Performances: Session I
Project Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Valerie Moody
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Integrated Physiology and Athletic Training
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Head Contact Patterns Among Youth and High School Ice Hockey Athletes
Naugle, H., Jefferson, S., & Moody, VJ: University of Montana
The prevalence of head contact among youth and high school ice hockey athletes continues to be a concern. While significant attention has been given to the identification of concussions, less research has examined the frequency and characteristics of head contact during normal gameplay. The purpose of this study was to examine where, when, and how head contact occurs in Bantam (14U), junior varsity, and varsity-level athletes to identify potential patterns associated with gameplay.
To address this question, we observed 731 athlete exposures across multiple practices and games. Each head contact event was categorized based on rink location, timing, mechanism of contact, player activity, player position, and location on the head.
We identified 137 head contact events, with approximately 19% of athlete exposures resulting in head contact. High-traffic areas were most frequently associated with head contact, particularly Zone 1 (corner/behind the net) and Zone 5 (front of the net). The most common mechanism was contact with the boards or glass. The majority of incidents occurred while players were defending the puck, and impacts were most often directed toward the front of the head.
Understanding patterns of head contact in adolescent ice hockey may help reduce injury risk through improved education and the development of safer protocols for players, coaches, and youth sports organizations.
Category
Physical Sciences
Head Contact Patterns Among Youth and High School Ice Hockey Athletes
UC 327
Head Contact Patterns Among Youth and High School Ice Hockey Athletes
Naugle, H., Jefferson, S., & Moody, VJ: University of Montana
The prevalence of head contact among youth and high school ice hockey athletes continues to be a concern. While significant attention has been given to the identification of concussions, less research has examined the frequency and characteristics of head contact during normal gameplay. The purpose of this study was to examine where, when, and how head contact occurs in Bantam (14U), junior varsity, and varsity-level athletes to identify potential patterns associated with gameplay.
To address this question, we observed 731 athlete exposures across multiple practices and games. Each head contact event was categorized based on rink location, timing, mechanism of contact, player activity, player position, and location on the head.
We identified 137 head contact events, with approximately 19% of athlete exposures resulting in head contact. High-traffic areas were most frequently associated with head contact, particularly Zone 1 (corner/behind the net) and Zone 5 (front of the net). The most common mechanism was contact with the boards or glass. The majority of incidents occurred while players were defending the puck, and impacts were most often directed toward the front of the head.
Understanding patterns of head contact in adolescent ice hockey may help reduce injury risk through improved education and the development of safer protocols for players, coaches, and youth sports organizations.