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Concussions in Hockey

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Concussions in Hockey
Kyle Johnson

Concussions In Hockey

The sport of hockey is an intense test of power and will, and as a result of the injuries in sport are common realities that players and coaches are faced with. Among these injuries are concussions, arguably the worst injury of all. A significant blow to the head that causes the brain to shake in the skull and sometime even swell causes a concussion. These serious and sometimes life threatening injuries have always been a part of hockey, and up until a few years ago, little was being done to combat the cause. Although great strides have been made to help athletes recover from a concussion, the question arises, why are hockey players so susceptible to these terrible head injuries in the first place? From that question we can categorize sub questions that will help us determine whether or not this rapidly increasing injury can be stopped, or at least reduced in all levels of hockey.
Speed, strength, as well as player height and weight differentials are often blamed for the recent outburst of concussions in hockey. These are variables that cannot be interfered with in order to protect the core values of being a hockey player. Therefore, we must find a way to eliminate the injury without ruining the integrity of the sport. Rules such as no-touch icing, elimination of head shots, hits from behind and blindside hits are just some of the ways the NHL has decided to help battle concussions. These rules have not all been approved as of yet, but specialists anticipate a drop in concussions once they have been approved and integrated into the game; however, many remain skeptical. Player equipment is another variable that could be improved in order to reduce the amount of concussions in sport. Equipment changes such as mandatory full-face shields and elimination of plastic or hard material covering shoulder and elbow pads are other solutions that may possibly reduce the risk of concussions.
In order to combat a concussion, we first


References: Agel, J., & Harvey, E. J. (2010). A 7-year review of men 's and women 's ice hockey injuries in the NCAA. Canadian Journal of Surgery, 53, 319-327. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA238271000&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w Benac, N. (2011). American doctors urge medical evaluations for all concussed athletes.183(1), Canadian Medical Association Journal, E29. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA246449190&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w Benson, B. W., Meeuwisse, W. H., & Rose, M. S. (2002). The impact of face shield use on concussions in ice hockey: A multivariate analysis. (original article).36(1), British Journal of Sports Medicine, 27. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA83448630&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w Benson, B. W., Burke, C. J., Kang, J., Meeuwisse, W. H., & Rizos, J. (2011). A prospective study of concussions among national hockey league players during regular season games: The NHL-NHLPA concussion program.183(8), 905-945. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA257125571&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w Benson, B., Emery, C., Goulet, C., Hagel, B., Kang, J., McAllister, J., Shrier, I. (2011). Risk of injury associated with bodychecking experience among youth hockey players. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(11), 1249-1256. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA264173877&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w American Academy of Sports Medicine, Retrieved from http://www.aan.com/go/elibrary/journal/concussion McCrory, P. (2002). What advice should we give to athletes postconcussion? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(5), 316-330. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA93451576&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w Rhine, D. (2011). Concussion in youth hockey.183(10), CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1174. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA261386738&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w Sojka, P. (2011). (8), 887. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libdbauth.nait.ab.ca/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA257125565&v=2.1&u=naitl_main&it=r&p=SPJ.SP12&sw=w Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/concussion/page5_em.htm
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