Effect of ice hockey helmet fit on cervical spine motion during an emergency log roll procedure.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate cervical spine motion during a log roll technique in ice hockey players under different helmet fit conditions.


METHODS
Prospective counterbalanced design.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Eighteen club ice hockey players were recruited to participate in this study.


METHODS
A standard emergency log roll was performed 3 times under each of 3 different helmet fit conditions: properly fit, improperly (competition) fit, and helmet-removed.


METHODS
Frontal, sagittal, and transverse plane cervical spine motion were used as outcome measures.


RESULTS
Significantly less sagittal and transverse plane motion occurred during the helmet-removed condition. No differences in frontal plane motion among the 3 conditions were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of helmet (whether properly fit or not) resulted in increased of sagittal and transverse plane movement. This suggests that when an ice hockey helmet is stabilized, the head within it is not. We recommend the helmet and face shield be removed before performing an emergency prone log roll.
Mihalik
Jason P
JP
Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. jmihalik@email.unc.edu
Beard
Josh R
JR
Petschauer
Meredith A
MA
Prentice
William E
WE
Guskiewicz
Kevin M
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000592:standards*; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013131:Spine; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult