Ability of Preseason Body Composition and Physical Fitness to Predict the Risk of Injury in Male Collegiate Hockey Players

Abstract

Background:Injuries in collegiate ice hockey can result in significant time lost from play. The identification of modifiable risk factors relating to a player’s physical fitness allows the development of focused training and injury prevention programs targeted at reducing these risks.Purpose:To determine the ability of preseason fitness outcomes to predict in-season on-ice injury in male collegiate ice hockey players.Study Design:Prognostic cohort study.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:Athlete demographics, percentage body fat, aerobic capacity (300-m shuttle run; 1-, 1.5-, 5-mile run), and strength assessment (sit-ups, push-ups, grip strength, bench press, Olympic cleans, squats) data were collected at the beginning of 8 successive seasons for 1 male collegiate ice hockey team. Hockey-related injury data and player-level practice/game athlete exposure (AE) data were also prospectively collected. Seventy-nine players participated (203 player-years). Injury was defined as any event that resulted in the athlete being unable to participate in 1 or more practices or games following the event. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the ability of the independent variables to predict the occurrence of on-ice injury.Results:There were 132 injuries (mean, 16.5 per year) in 55 athletes. The overall injury rate was 4.4 injuries per 1000 AEs. Forwards suffered 68% of the injuries. Seventy percent of injuries occurred during games with equal distribution between the 3 periods. The mean number of days lost due to injury was 7.8 ± 13.8 (range, 1-127 days). The most common mechanism of injury was contact with another player (54%). The odds of injury in a forward was 1.9 times (95% CI, 1.1-3.4) that of a defenseman and 3 times (95% CI, 1.2-7.7) that of a goalie. The odds of injury if the player’s body mass index (BMI) was ≥25 kg/m2 was 2.1 times (95% CI, 1.1-3.8) that of a player with a BMI <25 kg/m2. The odds ratios for bench press, maximum sit-ups, and Olympic cleans were statistically significant but close to 1.0, and therefore the clinical relevance is unknown.Conclusion:Forwards have higher odds of injury relative to other player positions. BMI was predictive of on-ice injury. Aerobic fitness and maximum strength outcomes were not strongly predictive of on-ice injury.

Physical development of hockey players aged 13-16 years

“…This confirms the existence of a high degree of interrelation between the BMI and the maximum speed of movement, the level of speed-strength qualities [29,35]. Significant BMI values may increase the risk of injuries among hockey players [18].…”

“…There is a correlation between the success of international teams and the body mass indicator and body mass index (BMI) [17]. A similar relationship is revealed in relation to the rating of hockey leagues within individual countries [18]. The power character of the game is typical even for children and youth hockey with a puck.…”

“…This is indicated by a shift in the values of the centile distribution to the right and an increase in BMI. BMI of 14 years old hockey players has become more approximate to the values of adult highly skilled hockey players [16][17][18]. Compared to peer-to-peer players [29,30], hockey players of this age have large BMI values, length and body weight.…”

How do training and competition workloads relate to injury? The workload—injury aetiology model

“…While a reduction in training load may be appropriate in certain instances,51 two important points should be stated. First, adequate workloads are necessary to induce beneficial physiological adaptations such as high aerobic capacity, optimal body composition, strength, and repeat-sprint ability,56–58 which are required for high performance, and many of which are associated with decreased injury risk 53 59 60. Thus, workloads that are too low may not only decrease performance, but may result in lower levels of fitness and preparedness, subsequently increasing injury risk.…”

Training load--injury paradox: is greater preseason participation associated with lower in-season injury risk in elite rugby league players?

“…However, high training loads are necessary for beneficial physiological adaptation such as increased aerobic capacity, strength and repeat sprint ability, along with optimal body composition,17 18 many of which are associated with decreased injury risks 11 19 20…”