Concussion Prevention Training Tips (Video)

Hope you guys enjoy the video; took me two-hours to make it! But in the end it was worth ever second! #ActingProblems

Using Their Heads for Safety

Having kept a close eye on the NHL over the past few weeks the number of concussions has seemed to have dropped off, which is an extremely positive sign for the NHL and its players! However, this could be the result of teams disclosing injuries as upper body injuries, as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches (Monday February 27, 2012).


As well, over the past few weeks more players are starting to wear helmets designed and created specifically for concussion purposes, which leads myself and I’m sure many others to believe that these helmets are having an immediate impact on the number of concussions. Here are some of the following NHL equipment supplier's new concussion prevention helmets.

Bauer-Re-Akt

Bauer knows that no helmet will ever completely prevent concussions, but this helmet is designed to protect the head and brain from rotational impacts. As a result, during an impact, the Suspend-Tech Liner within the helmet moves independently from the Vertex Foam liner, which helps protect your brain from crippling intra-cranial movement (aka a concussion). This allows the helmet to move on its own while having your head stay in place, separate from the helmet to prevent injuries (Bauer, 2012).

Reebok 11K

The Reebok 11K helmet has a 5-point safety system to prevent concussions (Reebok, 2012).

1. Big Hits: Designed to withstand high-intensity impacts.

2. Repeated Hits: 90% of hits in a game are low impact. When repeated over time, low impact hits can be as dangerous as high impact hits. The 11k features a softer EPP and a unique hinge construction to better protect against low impact hits.

3. Anchoring: The new vertically adjustable Microdial II locks the helmet in place at the base of the head, for a truly custom fit.

4. Fit Adjustment: The helmet is designed to fit tightly to your head to prevent brain trauma.

5. Weight: Currently the lightest helmet fully adjustable helmet available.

Easton E700

Easton's new helmet is designed specifically for protection, proper fit and comfort (Easton, 2012).

Protection: One-piece shell construction for better absorption and better multi-impact durability.

Fit: Adjustable inner-foam liner for player safety.

Comfort: Strategically placed anti-microbal comfort pads that are removable and washable.

Warrior Krown 360

What makes the Krown 360 helmet unique is it’s ability to further customize the fit to your head shape. Most helmets allow for adjustments to the length of the helmet, but the Warrior Krown 360 will allow you to adjust the width as well (Warrior, 2012). No further information has been released on this helmet at this time, but I will try and keep you updated!

In conclusion, players that are still using traditional helmets with basic foam padding (like the Bauer 4500; pictured below) need to take note and make a change for their own wellbeing. With that being said, hockey players have a level of comfort with their equipment and change is something that is not a top priority for them during a season. Therefore, the league and NHLPA (National Hockey League Players Association) need to step up and maybe enforce a new rule in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement for mandatory helmets with concussion prevention technology.

Concussions & LIFE-Lessons with Dave Orton (Podcast)

Good afternoon Bloggers! My latest post is a podcast that you can connect to with the link below.

This podcast was done with Dave Orton who is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Lifestyle Family Fitness. The interview was centered on Dave’s knowledge and expertise in his field and his run-ins with concussions as a lacrosse player and coach.

Enjoy and feel free to comment.

http://www.box.com/updates#/updates/1/a/1/1587748547

Controversy Brews in Minor Hockey League Associations: Over Approach to Concussions

Across Canada, numerous minor hockey league associations have decided to start implement mandatory testing after a player is struck in the head, to test for concussion like symptoms. These tests will simply check memory and attention span of players over a 10-25 minute period. However, medical experts and parents remain skeptical about the approach and tactics used by team trainers and the organizations. Due to the fact that, if a child is allowed to return to the ice pre-maturely the consequences could be devastating for the child at risk as well as the trainer/organization. In addition, parents also feel their child could be subject to return to the game early because of his/her importance to the team.

Christopher Randolph, a clinical professor of neurology at the Loyola University Medical Center made a statement on the testing methods “teens may sandbag their baseline test so that if they get hurt and have to take another test before being cleared to play, the odds of passing will be higher.” Lastly, all serious injuries require medical attention with the proper trained people, equipment, facilities and technology. A perfect example is Sidney Crosby’s recent neck injury diagnoses, at first the team suspected he was suffering from another concussion but upon further investigation by the medical staff, Crosby has in fact suffered fractures to his C1 and C2 vertebrae. These important findings could be the difference in a child’s future in hockey and the risk-reward factor of a base-line test given by a team trainer is not worth the risk! In conclusion, team trainers are a critical component of any hockey team, but there expertise is not in diagnosing concussions or playing team doctor.

Improved Safety on Top of GM’s List

As the amount of concussions continues to mount in the NHL and the severity of teams losing key players down the stretch drive continues to grow the NHL Board of Governors and GM’s are continuing to look at was to make the game safer for the players.

Culture

First off the culture of today’s players still seems to be careless even after all the head related injuries suffered to this point in the season. So from a Board of Governors and general managers perspective players need to become more respectful of their fellow competitors whether that is through team discussions or personal responsibility and accountability.

Equipment

The league is constantly working with manufactures and designers to create softer shoulder pads and elbow pads to reduce the shock or head trauma when a hit is delivered.

Treatment

I believe the NHL needs to begin working closely with a team of doctors who specifically focus on repeated head trauma injuries to find ways to help prevent concussions from reoccurring. Secondly, with this support procedures and methods for evaluating and helping players recover can be adopted to get these players health and game ready.

This could have also played a factor in the pre-mature return of Sidney Crosby who was recently diagnosed with a soft tissue neck injury; which I will discussion in my next post!

Game Changes

Don Cherry talked last night about the repeated impact of concussions and players being left in vulnerable positions because of stretch passes (blue line to blue line) and he stated that the NHL needs to re-evaluate the idea of placing the redline back in the game for player safety and to help slow down the speed of the game.

Last Night

Lastly, Ales Hemsky of the Edmonton Oilers got rocked by Nick Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings last night with what seemed to be a high elbow. More than likely a suspension will follow and it will be interesting to see if Hemsky who didn’t return to the game is diagnosed with a concussion or concussion like symptoms.