American collegiate men's ice hockey: an analysis of injuries.
BACKGROUND
Reported rates and types of ice hockey injuries have been variable. Ice hockey combines tremendous speeds with aggressive physical play and therefore has great inherent potential for injury.


OBJECTIVE
To identify rates and determinants of injury in American men's collegiate ice hockey.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Data were collected from 8 teams in a Division I athletic conference for 1 season using an injury reporting form specific for ice hockey.


RESULTS
There were a total of 113 injuries in 23,096 athlete exposures. Sixty-five percent of injuries occurred during games, although games accounted for only 23% of all exposures. The overall injury rate was 4.9 per 1000 athlete exposures (13.8 per 1000 game athlete exposures and 2.2 per 1000 practice athlete exposures). Collision with an opponent (32.8%) or the boards (18.6%) caused more than half of all injuries. Concussion (18.6%) was the most common injury, followed by knee medial collateral ligament sprains, acromioclavicular joint injuries, and ankle sprains.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of injury in men's collegiate ice hockey is much greater during games than during practices. Concussions are a main cause for time lost and remain an area of major concern.
Flik
Kyle
K
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Lyman
Stephen
S
Marx
Robert G
RG
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000453:epidemiology; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013334:Students; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology