There is no doubt that ice hockey is a fun sport for those who play; likewise, it is exciting for those of us who enjoy watching. It takes an already great sport and puts it on the ice, creating a combination of ice skating and hockey.
Still, ice hockey is one of the most dangerous sports due to the following facts:
*Rapid speeds
*Numerous collisions
*Lengthy hockey sticks
*Slippery ice rinks
*Sharp skating blades
*Hockey pucks that move swiftly
Now that we understand why ice hockey can be dangerous, we will take a look at the most common injuries and how they can be prevented.
Concussions
Brain injuries that are brought on by a blow against the skull result in a concussion. Concussions can range from mild to severe in nature, and many times they cause one to lose consciousness.
To prevent obtaining a concussion while playing hockey, one should always wear a properly fitting helmet.
Medial ligament sprains
The medial collateral ligament is in the knee. It can become sprained after the outside of the knee is struck while it is somewhat bent, resulting in a stretch or tear to the inside of the knee.
Meniscus injuries
Within the knee joint are two round pieces of cartilage that lay over the shin bone, also known as menisci. The menisci act as a cushion to the knee, and they allow for the correct dispersal of weight between the shinbone and thigh bone.
Groin strain
Unfortunately, groin strains occur frequently in sports, such as ice hockey, that involve quick course changes.
Hamstring strain
Ice hockey puts a lot of force on the legs, making hamstring (muscles in the back of the thighs) strains one of the most common injuries to those who participate in the sport.
Ankle sprain
Hockey skates do give some support to the ankle, but the slender skate combined with an icy surface make sprained ankles a frequent injury among those who play ice hockey.
AC joint injury
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint injuries, also known as shoulder separation injuries, happen when two bones that form the AC joint become detached from each other. This type of injury is usually the result of a fall.
Shoulder dislocation
Shoulder dislocations happen as a result of a fall or a direct hit.
Prevention
It is always good practice to take precautions to prevent injuries since it is better to never acquire an injury than have to treat one. Several steps can be taken to decrease the chances of obtaining ice hockey injuries.
*Always warm-up
A warm-up is absolutely essential when it comes to injury prevention. It helps the body to get ready to perform both physically and psychologically. A 5 to 20 minute cardiovascular warm-up should be performed prior to getting on the ice.
*Protective gear
Protective gear should always be worn, including padding, helmets and gloves.
*Following the rules
Breaking rules causes unnecessary injuries, and it is estimated that one-third of injuries happen due to rules not be followed.
*Rest
Every athlete needs to incorporate rest into their program. Overuse injuries can result when one does not give the body time to rest.
*Hydration
I cannot emphasize the importance of hydration enough. Less blood is able to move through muscles when one becomes dehydrated, which increases the chances of an injury to them.
*Nutrition
Poor nutrition will stop you from recuperating after training sessions, making injury more likely to occur. Carbohydrates are needed to replenish muscles, and protein is necessary to rebuild them.
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