A prospective study of concussions among National Hockey League players during regular season games: the NHL-NHLPA Concussion Program.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 1997, the National Hockey League (NHL) and NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) launched a concussion program to improve the understanding of this injury. We explored initial postconcussion signs, symptoms, physical examination findings and time loss (i.e., time between the injury and medical clearance by the physician to return to competitive play), experienced by male professional ice-hockey players, and assessed the utility of initial postconcussion clinical manifestations in predicting time loss among hockey players.

Methods

We conducted a prospective case series of concussions over seven NHL regular seasons (1997-2004) using an inclusive cohort of players. The primary outcome was concussion and the secondary outcome was time loss. NHL team physicians documente

SUBMITTER: Benson BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3091898 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature