Concussions amongst youth ice hockey players : A retrospective survey in Västerbotten and Västernorrland amongst teenagers 13-15 years of age

Abstract: Sports-related concussions are one of the most complex injuries in the sports medicine field since head traumas are hard to recognize, discover and manage. Adolescent brains are under development and therefore more sensitive to concussions. Even though it is well established that concussions are a frequently occuring injury amongst youths, research on concussions on the youth ice hockey level in Sweden have not been previously investigated. Therefore, the primary aim of the present study was to investigate the cumulative prevalence of concussions amongst ice hockey players 13-15 years of age. A total of 188 players were invited to participate. The response rate was 40% whereas 61 players (girls n=6, boys n= 55) met the inclusion criteria. More than one-third (41%) reported at least one concussion, the majority of them hockey related. The study did not only investigate the prevalence of concussions, the understanding on concussions have also been examined, which revealed that half of the participants recognized Hjärntrappan. Although the study could not detect any significant relationship regarding potential risk factors and reported concussions, the investigation have illuminated a complex injury. In conclusion, the prevalence of concussions in the cohort was relatively high since more than one-third (41%) reported at least one concussion. Further, half of the participants recognized Hjärntrappan. The result emphasizes more education regarding head traumas for players, coaches and parents in youth ice hockey in order to prevent disastrous consequences such as premature career ending, future cognitive dysfunction and mental illness.