Converging evidence for the under-reporting of concussions in youth ice hockey.
BACKGROUND
Concussions are potentially serious injuries. The few investigations of prevalence or incidence in youth ice hockey have typically relied on prospective reports from physicians or trainers and did not survey players, despite the knowledge that many athletes do not report probable concussions.


OBJECTIVE
This study sought to compare concussion rates in youth ice hockey that were estimated from a variety of reporting strategies.


METHODS
Rates were calculated from British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association (BCAHA) official injury reports, from direct game observation by minor hockey volunteers (such as coaches and managers), as well as from retrospective surveys of both elite and non-elite youth players. All research was conducted within the BCAHA.


RESULTS
Estimates from official injury reports for male players were between 0.25 and 0.61 concussions per 1000 player game hours (PGH). Concussion estimates from volunteer reports were between 4.44 and 7.94 per 1000 PGH. Player survey estimates were between 6.65 and 8.32 per 1000 PGH, and 9.72 and 24.30 per 1000 PGH for elite and non-elite male youth hockey, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
It was found that concussions are considerably under-reported to the BCAHA by youth hockey players and team personnel.
Williamson
I J S
IJ
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
Goodman
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors