Prevention and Management of Concussions in Youth Ice Hockey: Policy, Education, Beliefs and Behaviours
Abstract
Sport-related concussions are a major health problem in youth sport and recreational activities. In youth ice hockey specifically, concussion is the most common injury resulting in medical attention or time loss from sport. Concerns surrounding the negative consequences associated with inappropriate management of concussion have resulted in a number of government and sporting organization recommendations for concussion education as a secondary injury prevention strategy. The rationale for this recommendation is that providing education will result in appropriate management following a suspected sport-related concussion (e.g., removal from play assessment by a qualified healthcare professional, full recovery, safe return to sport). Under this assumption, education can mitigate the potential long-term effects of an athlete continuing to play through the injury. This includes the potential prevention of prolonged recovery, long-term health consequences, and in rare cases death. There is evidence to suggest that concussion education may increase participant knowledge, but there is limited research regarding the effect of education on concussion-related beliefs and management behaviour. More research on the effectiveness of concussion prevention strategies is needed.
In this dissertation, the burden of concussion across sports (including youth ice hockey) and primary and secondary concussion prevention strategies are described. A qualitative examination of the context of concussion management suggests barriers not typically addressed in conventional education programs can affect concussion management. Further, the association between receiving concussion education and concussion knowledge, beliefs and behaviours under the scope of a behaviour change theory are examined. Increases in knowledge among players, parents and coaches involved with youth ice hockey were found; but had little to no effect on concussion beliefs and concussion management behaviour. However, a national policy change in youth ice hockey delaying the age when body checking is introduced until age 13, resulted in a 64% reduction in the risk of concussion for 11-12 year old hockey players.
Rule changes that modify evidence-informed risk factors for a specific sport are an effective means of concussion risk reduction. Further, research examining educational strategies targeting player, parent, and coach beliefs about concussion management and interventions that address barriers to management are needed.
Description
Keywords
Epidemiology, Psychology--Behavioral
Citation
Black, A. M. (2017). Prevention and Management of Concussions in Youth Ice Hockey: Policy, Education, Beliefs and Behaviours (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27427