Assessing Helmet Fit for Varsity Ice Hockey Athletes: A Field Intervention Study

Julia H.W. Rossi, David M. Andrews

Abstract


Background: Protective equipment is at the forefront of the discussion on reducing sports-related concussions, with the role of helmets being equivocal. Data suggest that modern helmets are not entirely protective against concussions, and ill-fitting helmets may contribute to concussions with longer-lasting symptoms. Helmet fit can be assessed via a checklist, but its application outside of youth sport is lacking. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess helmet fit and the effect of feedback for a men’s (n=22) and a women’s (n=20) university varsity ice hockey team across a season. Methods: This field intervention study used a 12-item helmet fit checklist which was divided into five categories, defining “proper fit” as meeting all criteria of the stability and size categories. Players’ concussion histories and helmet fit knowledge were assessed using a survey. Results: The number of properly fitting helmets for males increased from 23% to 77% over the season, while remaining consistent at 50% for females. For males, 73% had an increase in overall checklist scores and 27% saw no change; 45% of females had an increase, 5% saw no change, and 50% decreased. Reported female (85%) concussion rate was double that of males (41%), but perceived knowledge of helmet fit (male=36%, female=30%) and actual knowledge (male=77%, female=85%) were similar. Conclusions: Feedback only had a positive effect on helmet fit for males across the season, potentially due to helmet style differences for females. Improvements to checklist criteria and scoring would increase the effectiveness of assessing fit for multiple helmet styles.

Keywords


Hockey, Checklist, Feedback, Universities, Head protective devices

Full Text:

PDF

References


Bachynski, K., & Bateman-House, A. (2020). Mandatory bicycle helmet laws in the United States: Origins, context, and controversies. American Journal of Public Health, 110(8): 1198–1204. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305718

Clay, M. B., Glover, K. L., & Lowe, D. T. (2013). Epidemiology of concussion in sport: a literature review. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 12(4), 230–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2012.11.005

Gammons M. R. (2013). Helmets in sport: fact and fallacy. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 12(6), 377–380. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000016

Gieck, J., & McCue, F. C. (1980). Fitting of protective football equipment. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 8(3), 192–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354658000800309

Gough, C. (2024). Registered Ice Hockey Players in Canada 2023. [Online] Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/282125/number-of-registered-ice-hockey-players-in-canada

Greenhill, D. A., Navo, P., Zhao, H., Torg, J., Comstock, R. D., & Boden, B. P. (2016). Inadequate helmet fit increases concussion severity in American high school football players. Sports Health, 8(3), 238–243. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738116639027

Langer, L., Levy, C., & Bayley, M. (2020). Increasing incidence of concussion: True epidemic or better recognition? The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 35(1), E60–E66. https://doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000503

LaPrade, R. F., Burnett, Q. M., Zarzour, R., & Moss, R. (1995). The effect of the mandatory use of face masks on facial lacerations and head and neck injuries in ice hockey: A prospective study. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 23(6), 773–775. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354659502300624

Lemair, M., & Pearsall, D. J. (2007). Evaluation of impact attenuation of facial protectors in ice hockey helmets. Sports Engineering, 10(2), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02844204

Liller, K. D., Morissette, B., Noland, V., & McDermott, R. J. (1998). Middle school students and bicycle helmet use: Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. The Journal of School Health, 68(8), 325–328. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.1998.tb00594.x

Lininger, M. R., Yeargin, S. W., Hirschhorn, R. M., & Mensch, J. (2023). Assessing the validity of a helmet fit checklist in a sample of youth football players. Research in Sports Medicine, 31(4), 357–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2021.1988949

Johnson, L. S. M. (2011). Concussion in youth ice hockey: it’s time to break the cycle. Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), 183(8), 921–924. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.110282

Rowson, B., Rowson, S. & Duma, S.M. (2015). Hockey STAR: A methodology for assessing the biomechanical performance of hockey helmets. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 43, 2429–2443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-015-1278-7

Swarén, M., & Fahlstedt, M. (2023). How are the impact attenuation properties of men’s and women’s helmets affected after one season in professional ice hockey? Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part P, Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371231213780

Van Pelt, K. L., Puetz, T., Swallow, J., Lapointe, A. P., & Broglio, S. P. (2021). Data-driven risk classification of concussion rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine (Auckland), 51(6), 1227–1244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01428-7

Williams, R. M., Valovich McLeod, T. C., Register-Mihalik, J. K., Mihalik, J. P., Marshall, S. W., Linnan, L. A., & Guskiewicz, K. M. (2014). A preliminary study of helmet fit characteristics and knowledge. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care, 6(5), 206–212. https://doi.org/10.3928/19425864-20140916-05

Yeargin, S. W., Lininger, M. R., Coughlin, M., Hirschhorn, R. M., Jurewicz, P., Moore, M., O’Connell, H., & Mensch, J. (2021). Improper fit in American youth football helmets across one competitive season. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 49(10), 2924–2931. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-021-02817-9




DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.12n.3p.23

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

2013-2024 (CC-BY) Australian International Academic Centre PTY.LTD.

International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science

You may require to add the 'aiac.org.au' domain to your e-mail 'safe list’ If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox'. Otherwise, you may check your 'Spam mail' or 'junk mail' folders.