Ice hockey brain injury theory challengedRSS Feed

After scientists in Canada found that body checking is the prime cause of brain injury in youth ice hockey, new research from the US points to a different conclusion.

Scientists from the University of Buffalo have carried out a five year study that suggests accidents are the main cause of injury in youth ice hockey.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that accidents were twice as likely as body checking to result in a player being kept off the ice for at least 24 hours.

In addition, the researchers found that accidental injuries tended to be more severe than those sustained by body checking.

Barry Willer, the study's senior author, said that there is an image of body checking as a form of condoned violence.

"However, this study found that body checking did not account for a large proportion of injuries. Perhaps as important, body checking did not lead to a rise in intentional injuries," he explained.

The findings appear contrary to University of Calgary research that showed brain injuries in young ice hockey players were more prevalent in leagues where body checking is allowed.

News from Serious Law, specialist brain injury solicitors

Posted by John Sherrington

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