Usa Studio: after Covid’s pandemic there are more trauma and shoulders in youth hockey, fractures and hospitalizations grow. What does it depend on?
A recent study of the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, published in the magazine Injuryturns on the spotlight on a new emergency linked to the safety of Young athletes who practice ice hockey in the United States. After the Covid-19 pandemicin fact, the American emergency rooms have recorded a worrying increase in injuries serious Among the players under 18.
Here are the main results that emerged from the analysis:
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Increase of trauma with head and shoulders among young hockeyists from 2020 onwards
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Fracture growthespecially in the upper limbs
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More hospitalizationsa sign of greater gravity of accidents
The research, conducted over a ten-year period (2014-2023), represents the first study national To investigate these post-apandemic tendencies, using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (Neiss) data, an US surveillance system that collects information from approximately 100 First Aid throughout the country.
A post-pandemic course change of course
If overall the total number of injuries In the decade analyzed remained relatively stablethe most recent data indicate a clear Trend reversal after 2020. The increase of injuries cranials and at shoulders suggests greater exposure to trauma ad tall energy. Parallel the increase in hospitalization it could reflect not only the greater severity of the injuries, but also a more careful clinical management, especially in the event of Suspected brain commodities.
The possible causes: more aggressive game and greater exposure
According to the authors of the study, among the triggering factors there may be one greater aggression In the game youth After the months of forced inactivity linked to the pandemic. But they could also affect other aspects: the growing popularity of sport between girls, changes in protocols doctors Or simply a better diagnostic ability of hospitals.
What does it mean for doctors and families
For health workers, research underlines the importance of a assessment rigorous of accidents, especially those at the head. Also fundamental educate athletes And families to the use of adequate protections and to respect of the protocols recovery before returning to the field.
For parents these data represent a alarm bell: it is necessary to pay more attention to the safety of their children, not only by choosing theequipment rightbut also by monitoring any signs Of emotion cerebral or underestimated trauma.
The next steps
The Mount Sinai team has already announced further studies to collect more detailed data, Considering variables such as the game time, the position on the field and the level of competition.
The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of new ones preventive measures and best protect young athletes.
