The concussion rate in girls hockey is downright scary. Studies have show that girls’ hockey players are 2 times more likely to suffer a concussion than male hockey players and almost 3 times more likely than football players.
I shared these numbers, and my own concussion story, with the local media and the story has spread like wildfire across North America. All this coverage has sparked a great debate about WHY these injuries are happening and IF the research numbers are accurate.
You can debate the statistics and the causes ‘til you are blue in the face.
But I am NOT willing to wait for more girls to sustain serious head injuries to support (or refute) the numbers before I start taking action. And you shouldn’t wait either.
It’s true that these particular stats came from a single study and don’t necessarily represent a trend across the entire female hockey world. And after spending two years doing my master’s research on the brain activity of elite hockey players, I know that researchers will sometimes skew their numbers towards the result they are looking for.
But the concussion stories I hear from girls’ hockey parents, players and coaches on a daily basis tell me that these numbers are “bang on”.
I’ve heard heart-wrenching stories from parents who have had to help their 13 year-olds cope with the lingering effects of a head injury for over 6 months. I’ve heard from 16 year-olds who have had to quit hockey after suffering from multiple concussions. One university coach even told me that her team had 12 concussions in just 1 season!
These stats and stories tell me one thing…
==> This a problem that needs a solution NOW.
I am tired of talking about IF and WHY concussions are a problem in girls hockey.
==> So I have created a brand-new program to FIX IT.
The stats and studies may be complicated,
but the Concussion Solution is simple.
Girls hockey players are going to get hit out on the ice.
The stronger and more stable they are, the less likely they are to get injured.
What are you doing to PREVENT concussions in girls hockey?
Click on the link below to start being a part of the Concussion Solution TODAY:
==> CONCUSSION SOLUTION
Hi! I’m really trying hard to work the TFH program, plus the balance excercises you showed in your article. I know my core strength is getting better each time, and it feels good knowing I’m going to make my game better and help stop getting a concussion. Today I did the TFH program, plus 50 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, three sets of fast presses, balance excercises, 30 stocking foot shuffles, some pushing excercises and then 10 more fast push-ups. I’m having a vege burger with lettuce, tomato and cheese for dinner. No treats!
See ya!
Amy
Being strong and agile are important to avoid checks. I also do a lot of stick handling off-ice so that I play with my head up to avoid being hit. My Dad always says that playing with body checking make players be more heads up but some people don’t agree with that. I think it is also good to know where the danger zones are and to stay tight to the boards.
Today I did an hour of shooting and stick handling practice with my team. My partner and I won the shooting accuracy drill - 6 tardets in 12 seconds.
After a healthy dinner I also did a quick feet and agility workout for an hour with some friends that play on a pee wee girls team.
I am off to practice in the morning so I better get to bed.
I’m doing my TFH strength program and my pushup routine do achieve my monthly goal. As a goalie I’m constantly having to play heads up whenever the puck is around me or I have it. I know which teams like to crash the net the most but I don’t want to risk it.
In field hockey on breakaways I tend to slide at the player to take away their shot and if I’m not careful they’ll accidentally end up running into my head and I dive a lot when I play so I’m on the ground with everyone running around me so I have to be watching the ball but also watching that no kicks me in the head. I got kicked straight in the face and my head got snapped back.
I play rugby as well so I have to play heads up there or I’ll get completely plowed. If players played games for off ice that involved them doing skills but having to keep a heads up so they don’t get hit or something.