The Recreational Hockey Athlete Recently, I was at a cottage with the man friend and his family. He is the oldest of 4 boys, 4 very competitive boys I might add. One of the activities of the weekend was going to the local skating rink to have some fun. As all 4 of them causally skate around, it doesn’t take long for the competitions to ensue. Quickly it became about who can shoot the puck with the most accracy? Who can do it with the most flare? And my favourite of the day, who is the fastest skater? Boys will be boys… As all of them come racing full speed towards the fence, I instinctively evaluated their potential for injury (trust me I’d turn it off if I could). Who wasn’t going to be able to stop in time? Who was going to “pull” a muscle? And most importantly, whose ego was going to be deflated? ☺ So I had to chuckle the next day as I watch the man friend gingerly get off the couch complaining of groin pain. I start to recount all the other times this hockey season I’ve treated him for an injury. Remembering when he walked in the door, guarding his arm by his side because a fellow (not the exact descriptive F word he used) on the other team had something to prove or the time I had to tape his ankle before games due to an ankle sprain. There are so many reasons to keep active, and hockey is a great way to get moving during the winter months. However, ice hockey is a sport that requires a unique combination of speed, power, and physicality. As a result, players (even recreational ones) are at risk for specific injury patterns—some of them avoidable. The intrinsic hazards of playing hockey cannot be completely eliminated, but the risk of injury can be substantially reduced. Common injuries involve the soft tissues: bruises, muscle strains, ligament tears, and cuts. Serious injuries are possible and players should avoid dangerous tactics, this means you “fellow” trying to re-live the glory days! A few tips for preventing injuries include: ◦ Obtaining a preseason screening examination by an experienced athletic therapist or physician to identify existing injuries and uncover deficiencies. ◦ Participating in a sports-specific conditioning program to avoid physical overload. ◦ Obtaining high-quality equipment that fits well and is not damaged, worn-out, or undersized. ◦ Enforcement of existing rules. Players and coaches should always demonstrate sportsmanship and mutual respect for their opponents and the officials. ◦ Following injury and treatment, a post-injury evaluation ensures successful healing and guides safe return to play. Common hockey injuries include: concussion, shoulder, low back, elbow, knee, hip Concussion: Athletes may suffer a concussion without getting knocked out (loss of consciousness). Players, coaches, and parents should be aware of the typical signs and symptoms, including not feeling right and headache. Any player experiencing symptoms or displaying signs of a concussion should not return to play and should be medically evaluated. Shoulder Injuries: The most common shoulder injuries in hockey are a shoulder separation and a broken collarbone. These injuries occur from direct contact of the shoulder with another player, the boards, or the ice. Elbow Injuries: The point of the elbow is a frequent area of contact, which can result in the development of bursitis. Thick and scarred bursal tissue can be a source of recurrent inflammation. Back Injuries: Hockey players are at risk for low-back injuries due to the flexed (forward) posture of skating. Low-back pain and/or a pulled muscle are the most common injuries. Stretching of the hip flexors along with strengthening of the back and abdominal muscles will help avoid these injuries. Hip Injuries: The hip joint and groin muscles are susceptible to injury due to the mechanics of the skating stride. Some of the most common soft tissue injuries in hockey players include a groin strain and a hip flexor strain. Off-season strengthening and dedicated stretching before and after practice are important to prevent these injuries. Knee Injuries: The medial collateral ligament is most susceptible to a sprain because of the leg position—pushing off the inside edge of the skate blade—and contact to the outside of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption and meniscus tears (torn cartilage) can also occur. Hockey is as much a part of Canada as maple syrup and the letter eh. As much fun as it is there is still the potential for the recreational player to sustain an injury. Pain is not normal no matter what your age or activity level. Please consult an athletic therapist for more information or if you are experiencing pain. Rachael Grafe CAT(C), CSCS
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 12:44:03 +0000
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