The epidemiology of back/neck/spine injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s and women’s ice hockey, 2009/2010 to 2014/2015

Abstract

This study describes the epidemiology of back/neck/spine injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's and women's ice hockey. Data from 66 NCAA men's and 29 women's ice hockey programmes (total of 147 and 67 team-seasons, respectively) were analysed from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2009/2010-2014/2015 academic years. In the study period, 226 and 97 back/neck/spine injuries were reported in men and women, respectively, for injury rates of 0.56 and 0.65/1000 athlete exposures. Injury rates were higher in competitions than practices in men (injury rate ratio [IRR] = 4.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.24-5.49) and women (IRR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.67-3.70). Most injuries occurred in the lower back/lumbar spine (men: 52.2%; women: 48.5%). There were notably low rates of fractures and severe spinal injuries for both sexes. This study enhances our understanding of the incidence, mechanisms and factors influencing these injuries and can ultimately lead to more effective injury prevention.

Epidemiology of Lumbar Spine Injuries in Men’s and Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Athletes

“…6 Previous studies have shown LSIs to be the most common in NCAA ice hockey. 25 Understanding the frequency, rates, types, chronicity, mechanism of injury, and time loss in both men’s and women’s college basketball and comparing the results according to sex can help address these injuries with the goal of making basketball safer for these athletes. Epidemiological studies of National Basketball Association (NBA) injuries from 1988 to 2015 showed that LSIs occurred at a rate of 34 per 10,000 AEs (n = 1279; 10.2% of all injuries reported).…”

“…Despite how common LSIs are in collegiate athletes, there is a paucity in the literature on these injuries in collegiate basketball athletes, and no study has analyzed sex-based differences in this population. 2,8,25 The purpose of this study was to analyze the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) database from the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 academic years to describe and compare the epidemiology of LSIs in women’s and men’s college basketball.…”

Efficacy of Cervical Spine Muscle Strength Training in the Prevention of Cervical Spine Injuries in Hockey Players: A Critically Appraised Topic

“…Three studies 7,8,9 scored ≤13/20 indicating a risk of bias. The remaining articles 1,2,3,4,5,6 scored above 14/20, resulting in a rating of high quality. These studies suggest that the strengthening of neck musculature may reduce the velocity and acceleration of the head during body impact.…”

“…Injury data collected from collegiate ice hockey teams throughout the period of 2009 to 2015 revealed the prevalence of 323 back, neck, and spinal injuries. 3 Of these injuries, many were localized to the lumbar spine occurring during competition, indicating that cervical spine injuries were not common. Findings revealed mixed evidence supporting the occurrence of cervical spine injuries within ice hockey.…”

“…Findings revealed mixed evidence supporting the occurrence of cervical spine injuries within ice hockey. 1,2,3,5,6 Individuals competing in contact sports are susceptible to exhibiting a distortion of the cervical spinal column, which may result in damage to the spinal cord. 4 Further difficulty in assessing individuals immediately following a perceived spinal cord injury is exacerbated due to excessive equipment (e.g., helmet, shoulder pads).…”