Unpack the science behind ice hockey injuries and innovations. This episode explores the most influential research, including concussions, hip injuries, and player safety advancements.
Discover the groundbreaking research shaping ice hockey safety and performance. This episode focuses on the most cited studies since 2000, with a spotlight on concussion research and prevention.
Main source: The Most Cited and Influential Publications Relating to Ice Hockey Since 2000 Focus Primarily on Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Jamie F. Dulle, M. Lane Moore, Joseph C. Brinkman, Jordan R. Pollock, Donald L. Dulle, Anna S. Jenkins, Anikar Chhabra
Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. 2023 Jun; 5(3): e613–e622. Published online 2023 Apr 18. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2023.02.014
PMCID: PMC10300535

Explore the connection between early hockey specialization and long-term hip and groin dysfunction. Learn why diversifying early athletic experiences might be key to sustainable success.
This episode dives into the risks of early sport specialization in ice hockey, exploring how year-round training impacts hip and groin health. Discover insights from collegiate athletes and expert findings.
Main source: Early Sport Specialization and Subjective Hip and Groin Dysfunction in Collegiate Ice Hockey Athletes
Marisa Sheppard, Jim Nicknair, John Goetschius
J Athl Train. 2020 Mar; 55(3): 232–237. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0375-19
PMCID: PMC7093925

The world of professional sports is incredibly competitive, but did you know your birth month could impact your chances of success? This phenomenon, called the Relative Age Effect, is especially prevalent in hockey. Join us as we explore how this bias favors early-born players in junior leagues, but intriguingly, seems to reverse in the NHL, where late bloomers often outperform their older counterparts. We'll examine cutting-edge data analytics that reveal this fascinating trend and discuss its implications for player development and talent identification.
Highlights:
● The concept of the Relative Age Effect and its presence in hockey
● The surprising reversal of the effect in the NHL
● The use of data analytics in the study
● The relevance for player development and talent identification
Main source: The Relative Age Effect in Ice Hockey: Analysis of Its Presence, Its Fading and of a Reversal Effect among Junior and Professional Leagues
Jean Lemoyne, François Trudeau, Simon Grondin
J Hum Kinet. 2023 Apr; 87: 119–131. Published online 2023 Apr 20. doi: 10.5114/jhk/161573
PMCID: PMC10203842