Ice hockey injuries in a Japanese elite team: a 3-year prospective study.
BACKGROUND
As the Asian Ice Hockey League gradually expands and becomes more competitive, ice hockey-related injuries may increase. However, no reports have been published on ice hockey injuries in Japan, including the method of injury and the daily supervision of the players during the regular season.


OBJECTIVE
To prospectively study the incidence, types, and mechanisms of ice hockey injuries in an elite Japanese ice hockey team.


METHODS
Prospective observational cohort study design.


METHODS
An elite ice hockey team, Tokyo, Japan.


METHODS
Ninety-four players during the 2002-2005 seasons.


METHODS
Data were collected for 3 consecutive seasons using an injury reporting form.


RESULTS
The overall game injury rate was 74.3 per 1000 player-game hours and 11.7 per 1000 player-game hours for injuries resulting in any time loss. The overall practice injury rates were 11.2 per 1000 player-practice hours and 1.1 per 1000 player-practice hours for injuries resulting in any time loss. Forwards had the highest rate of injury, followed by defensemen and then goalkeepers. Contusions were the most common injury, followed by strains, lacerations, and sprains.


CONCLUSIONS
Most injuries among Japanese ice hockey players occurred during games. Game or play intensity may influence the injury rate during games.
Kuzuhara
Kenji
K
Aichi Toho University, Meito-ku, Nagoya, Japan. kuzuhara@aichi-toho.ac.jp
Shimamoto
Hideki
H
Mase
Yasuyoshi
Y
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult