Projects

Safe to Play: A longitudinal research program to establish best practice in the prevention, early diagnosis and management of sport-related concussion in youth ice hockey players

Over half a million Canadian youth are registered in ice hockey leagues, and 10-20% of them get a concussion each year. The long-term effects of concussion and the best way to treat it are still unknown, especially in youth. This is a frightening thought for parents, doctors, and athletes. We are investigating (1) how to stop youth ice hockey players from sustaining a concussion by understanding the risk factors for concussion; (2) if they get a concussion, how to identify and manage it as soon as possible; and (3) if they get a concussion, how to make sure that they recover fully and prevent re-injury. In this project we are following over 1000 ice hockey players starting in Pee Wee (ages 11-12 years) from Calgary, Alberta, for five years (2013-2018). We are collecting information on hockey participation and concussions sustained. Each year the players undergo baseline assessment including physical, psychological, clinical and functional tests. If players sustain a concussion during the five years of the study, they will be referred to a study sport medicine doctor immediately, and undergo the same testing that they do each year at baseline as well as other tests that monitor the symptoms specific to concussion. Subprojects include the evaluation of KINARM robotic, PRISM paradigm motor control, endocrine and MRI imaging outcomes. This project will inform the reduction of concussion risk and prolonged symptoms associated with concussion in youth who play ice hockey.  This research will inform best practice to improve the short- and long-term health and quality of life of youth who have suffered concussion.

Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Co-Investigators

• Shelina Babul
• Karen Barlow
• Brian Brooks
• Tyler Cluff
• Chantel Debert
• Sean Dukelow
• Brent Hagel
• Grant Iverson
• Alison Macpherson
• Carly McKay
• Luz Palacios-Derflingher
• Kathryn Schneider
• Steve Scott
• Keith Yeates