Who would have ever thought that ice hockey would be one of the safest sports to play? While some of the injuries sustained may well be a little on the gory side, the number of injuries each year is falling. A report by Betway Insider has revealed that those who play football, soccer, baseball and basketball are all more likely to be injured than those playing ice hockey.
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While the number of injuries may have fallen by 14% over the last five years, there’s no getting away from the fact that they still happen. Here’s a look at the ones that players are most likely to pick up.
Concussion
This is the injury that ice hockey players are the most likely to experience. The speed at which players move across the ice means that any collision has the potential to end in a way that’s less than great. With heads striking other heads or boards, the risk of concussion is very real.
The good news is that the risk of this type of injury can be reduced simply by wearing a well-fitted helmet. An increased awareness of the space around you can also reduce the risk of collisions and concussions.
Separated shoulder
The most common shoulder injury that an ice hockey player is likely to pick up is acromioclavicular (AC) separation. This is extremely common and can be picked up simply by colliding with a board or by falling onto the ice. It can also happen by being shoulder barged by another player.
Again, this is something where the risk can be reduced through the use of the right equipment. In this case, there is a need for good-quality shoulder pads that provide adequate protection.
MCL
The medial collateral ligament is at great risk of being injured while playing ice hockey. This ligament is on the inner part of the knee and, as shown in the report by Betway, knees are the most commonly injured body part across all sports.
This is an injury that can be picked up by being hit on the outside of the knee as it goes on to cause the ligament to stretch. There may be a need to wear a brace if the injury is significant but typically players are back on the ice within 2 to 3 weeks.
Groin/hamstring pull
The act of skating itself makes this a very common injury in the NHL. It can be caused simply by overstriding and pulling at the muscles. Other causes are the sudden use of force as a player starts to skate as well as the force used by changing direction at speed.
This is an injury type that can be avoided by ensuring that players warm up properly.
Ankle sprain
Ankle sprains are extremely common in ice hockey. The main cause of these is a rapid change of direction. The best way to prevent this is to ensure that skates fit properly but if the injury is picked up it will need rest to aid the recovery.
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