Protective equipment in youth ice hockey: are mouthguards and helmet age relevant to concussion risk?
Br J Sports Med
; 57(10): 571-577, 2023 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36918257
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To compare the incidence rates and odds of concussion between youth ice hockey players based on mouthguard use and helmet age. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Within a 5-year longitudinal cohort (2013/2014 to 2017/2018) of male and female ice hockey players (ages 11-18; n=3330 players) in Alberta (Canada), we analysed the relationship of equipment and concussion in both a prospective cohort and nested case (concussion) control (acute musculoskeletal injury) approach. The prospective cohort included baseline assessments documenting reported mouthguard use (yes/sometimes, no use), helmet age (newer/<2 years old, older/≥2 years old) and important covariables (weight, level of play, position of play, concussion history, body checking policy), with weekly player participation throughout the season. The nested case-control component used injury reports to document equipment (mouthguard use, helmet age) and other information (eg, mechanism and type of injury) for the injury event. Multivariable mixed effects negative binomial regression (prospective cohort, incidence rate ratios (IRRs)) and multivariable mixed effects logistic regression (nested case-control, odds ratios (OR)) examined the association between equipment and concussion.RESULTS:
Players who reported wearing a mouthguard had a 28% lower concussion rate (IRR=0.72, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.93) and 57% lower odds of concussion (OR=0.43, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.70) compared with non-wearers. There were no associations in the concussion rate (IRR=0.94, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.15) and odds (OR=1.16, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.86) between newer and older helmets.CONCLUSIONS:
Wearing a mouthguard was associated with a lower concussion rate and odds. Policy mandating use should be considered in youth ice hockey. More research is needed to identify other helmet characteristics (eg, quality, fit) that could lower concussion risk.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Traumatismos em Atletas
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Concussão Encefálica
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Hóquei
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Incidence_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article