Observational Analysis of Injury in Youth Ice Hockey: Putting Injury into Context

This study examines injury in competitive bodychecking and non-body checking youth ice hockey in male and female leagues in Ontario and Quebec. This study consisted of three parts: (1) quantifying the amount of injuries; (2) document situational factors in which hockey injuries occur; (3) observe play and interview parents to understand deeper subjective feelings towards injury and bodychecking. The research utilized a mixed method approach consisting of game observation, postgame injury assessments and semi-structured interviewing with parents. For this thesis, 56 games total were attended and only parents from the bodychecking team were interviewed. All games were video recorded through a dual camera video system. Game footage was then analyzed frame by frame to pinpoint injury locations, points of impact and situational factors surrounding the injury. Field-notes and interviews with parents allowed for a comprehensive look into the feelings and emotions surrounding injury and bodychecking. Results from the research revealed; 1) a disproportionately higher rate of injury in bodychecking hockey comparared to non-bodychecking male and female hockey; 2) an overwhelming percentage of injuries were the result of player and board contact; 3) majority of injuries occurred on legal play; and 4) parents support the concept of delaying bodychecking till later ages.

Grantor dc:publisher

Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Charles, Boyer

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robidoux, Michael

• Injury
• Bodychecking
• Rule changes
• Injury reporting

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-4551

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/19933