Comparison of Head Impact Exposure Between Male and Female High School Ice Hockey Athletes. Issue 9 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eckner, James T.; O'Connor, Kathryn L.; Broglio, Steven P.; Ashton-Miller, James A.
• Is Part Of: American journal of sports medicine. Volume 46:Issue 9(2018)
• Page Start: 2253
• Page End: 2262
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: concussion -- female athletes -- head impact biomechanics -- ice hockey -- X-Patch; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1177/0363546518777244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-5465

Abstract

Background: Concussion incidence rates are higher among female than male athletes in sports played by both sexes. Biomechanical factors may play a role in observed sex-based differences in concussion incidence. Purpose: To compare head impact counts and magnitudes during sports participation between male and female high school ice hockey athletes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Over 2 seasons, a total of 21 male and 19 female ice hockey athletes from a single high school were instrumented with impact-sensing adhesive skin patches worn over the mastoid process while participating in games and practices. The impact sensors recorded the number, magnitude (peak linear acceleration [PLA, g ] and peak angular acceleration [PAA, rad/s 2 ] of the head; Head Impact Telemetry severity profile [HITsp]), and location of impacts sustained during each instrumented session. Head impact counts, magnitudes, and locations were compared between the sexes. Results: Males experienced more head impacts than females during games (mean ± SD: 7.7 ± 3.0 vs 5.3 ± 2.0, P < .001) as well as practices (4.3 ± 1.6 vs 3.8 ± 1.1, P = .002). Mean impact magnitudes were greater for females for PLA (18.8 g ± 1.7 g vs 17.1 g ± 1.6 g, P < .001) and HITsp (19.7 ± 1.5 vs 17.7 ± 1.4, P < .001), while mean PAA was greater for males (3057.6 ± 2.0 rad/s 2 vs 2778.3 ± 2.7 rad/s 2, P < .001). Female athletes experienced higher PLA, PAA, and HITsp magnitudes for the top 10%, 5%, and 1% of impacts (all P < .050). Males experienced more impacts to the front (34.3%) and back (31.7%) of the head, while females experienced more impacts to the side (43.1%) and top (4.1%) (χ 2 = 295.70, df = 3, P < .001). Conclusion: While male high school ice hockey athletes experienced more head impacts than females, impact magnitudes tended to be higher for females.