Monday, February 21, 2011 /
By Andrew Chong, editor /
“It’s really scary. There’s not anything you can really compare it to…when you’re talking about your brain.”
Those words, from a recently concussed Sidney Crosby, have put an even brighter spotlight on the already highly-publicized concussion issue in hockey.
At the minor hockey level, a recent USA Hockey rule-change consideration has brought the issue of concussions into sharp focus—and the change implies bodychecking is the culprit.
If adopted, the new rules would delay the introduction of bodychecking until players reach the Bantam level (14). The rule would come into effect in the fall of 2011.
Both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada allow bodychecking in Peewee (12 and 13).
Dr. Dean Karahalios, an Illinois-based neurosurgeon and representative of the NBA Players Association Second Opinion Network for Brain and Spine Injuries, applauded the proposed USA Hockey rule-change to delay bodychecking.
He said that recent studies, including a 2010 University of Calgary study, have shown an increase in head injuries and concussions as a result of bodychecking.
THE EMERY STUDY
The U. of Calgary study by Carolyn Emery found that introducing bodychecking in Peewee (rather than waiting until Bantam) triples the risk of concussions and other injuries.
The study followed 2,000 Peewee hockey players for one season: half in Alberta (bodychecking) and half in Quebec (no bodychecking). The results were 72 concussions in Alberta and 20 in Quebec. Based on that ratio, Emery suggested that if bodychecking were eliminated in Alberta, more than 400 game-related concussions could be avoided.
THE WILLER STUDY
On the other hand, a study by Barry Willer – a leading concussion researcher and professor at the University of Buffalo – says raising the age would be a mistake and that the Emery study does not fully investigate the underlying reasons for concussions.
Willer, who has been studying brain injuries for a quarter-century and was introduced to concussions in hockey by Carl Lindros (Eric and Brett’s dad) in 1997, says the majority of hockey injuries (including concussions) occur as a result of incidental contact—as opposed to deliberate bodychecks.
He says introducing bodychecking at a higher age could actually result in more injuries because the bigger and stronger age group would have underdeveloped bodychecking skills (in both giving bodychecks and receiving them).
Willer’s study followed 3,000 Burlington minor hockey players over a five-year period. The data revealed a spike in injuries among players in the first year of introducing bodychecking, but that 66 per cent of injuries were caused by “unintentional collisions” (i.e. accidentally running into another player, running into the boards, falling to the ice, or crashing into the boards or goalposts.).
HOCKEY CANADA’S STANCE
So with the ongoing debate on both sides and with the plethora of research materials and data out there, what is Hockey Canada’s position?
“[Age may look like the heart of the issue] on the surface,” said Paul Carson, vice-president of hockey development for Hockey Canada. “There are those that feel bodychecking should be a part of this sport from the day youngsters start playing; there are those that feel there should be a specific age that it’s first introduced.
“Further to that, there are those that feel there is a division between recreational hockey and competitive hockey…In small rural communities, there may be a finite number of players in an age group—so then, how do you classify between competitive and recreational?”
SOLVING THE PUZZLE
Carson says the issue is more complex than simply changing the age.
“If we are managing games in a certain way (a responsibility of officials, coaches, and administrators) and if coaches and players work on skill development, those issues are pretty critical in the [bodychecking-age] debate, as well, because you can’t ignore the fact that there is an education required and a skill development process required, regardless of what age you introduce bodychecking,” he said. “Just moving the age, one way or the other, isn’t a significant enough piece of the puzzle to suggest that massive changes will occur.”
In his discussion of hockey as a contact sport by nature, Carson pointed out some interesting research conducted by the Mayo Clinic, a leading medical research facility.
“We have to remember that all hockey is contact hockey,” he said. “So, bodychecking is that element of hockey which now puts intentional contact into play as opposed to incidental contact. So, what we want to do is make sure we understand – like Willer’s study – that there are consequences of contact sport, as well.
“If you look at some of the research that was presented at the Mayo Clinic, some will talk about higher rates of concussions in youth sports in the female game versus the male game. And some would say, how can that be if there’s no bodychecking? …it’s a dynamic game and it requires some pretty good skill. So, in the end, do we totally eliminate the possibility of those types of injuries occurring if we change rules and regulations? Or, should we be looking at another approach or a combination of approaches. So, I’m not saying one way or another in terms of where age belongs, but what are all the factors we need to consider in the decision-making process?”
THE FUTURE
It seems the debate and discussion around this complex issue will rage on—as it should.
“I came [to Hockey Canada] nine years ago, and the first thing I was dealing with was the debate on bodychecking,” said Carson. “I can remember the debate on bodychecking in 1985 when I was coaching. So, here we are, 25 years later…I don’t believe that the issue should go away. It’s one of those elements that constantly needs our attention as stewards of the game.”
CONCUSSION CHECKLIST:
By / HockeyCanada.ca
Symptoms and signs may have a delayed onset (may be worse later that day or even the next morning), so players should continue to be observed even after the initial symptoms and signs have returned to normal.
Symptoms
Headaches
Dizziness
Feeling dazed
Seeing stars
Sensitivity to light
Ringing in ears
Tiredness
Nausea, vomiting
Irritability
Confusion, disorientation
Signs
Poor balance or coordination
Slow or slurred speech
Poor concentration
Delayed responses to questions
Vacant stare
Decreased playing ability
Unusual emotions, personality change, and inappropriate behaviour |
THE PULSE - The Concussion Issue: How Do We Protect Young Players?
