title: Exploring minor hockey players' knowledge and attitudes toward concussion: implications for prevention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate minor hockey players' attitudes and knowledge about sport concussions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male and female Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget level players (n = 183) participating in minor hockey and a comparison group of non-hockey players (n = 57).
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Player knowledge and attitudes were evaluated with a standardized questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. Descriptive statistics including cross-tabulations and proportion comparisons were used to report the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Players had foundational knowledge about concussions; however, more than half underestimated the prevalence and more than 30% were unaware of return to play protocols. Although nearly all players knew what they "should" do when concussed, 33% did not follow recommendations. Players reported more concern and appreciation of the seriousness of concussion than non-players, but they tended to minimize their vulnerability. The most common and helpful information sources were parents, doctors, and coaches, and therefore knowledge translation efforts should target theses audiences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young athletes continue to demonstrate gaps in their knowledge of concussions. In addition, attitudes toward concussion suggest a developmental trajectory with younger athletes being most likely to ignore current recommended guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Dr Mrazik and Ms. Perra), Neurosciences (Brain Injury and Rehabilitation programs), Alberta Children's Hospital, Departments of Paediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute for Child & Maternal Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Dr Brooks); and Sport Med, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, Canada (Dr Naidu).
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mrazik
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perra
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Dhiren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naidu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000416:Alberta; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors