England Ice Hockey are excited to be moving forward with an injury surveillance research project, in collaboration with leading medical experts from Leeds Beckett University and Ice Hockey UK.

EIH head of medical Ali Emery will work alongside Dr Ashley Jones from Leeds Beckett University and Dr Matt Robbins (IHUK chief medical officer) to carry out the study.

An online questionnaire designed to ask ice hockey players of all levels about their previous injury history is now live. We are keen to hear from as many athletes as possible, from as many leagues and age groups, in order to build a comprehensive better picture of the common injuries trends in UK ice hockey.

Click here to complete the survey.

From this questionnaire, we will be able to see which injuries occur most often, how these injuries are occurring, how long players are injured for and how injuries are managed within the sport.

At least one research paper will be published using this information. The aim is for this work to be part of a longer research venture which will help us to make recommendations to help enhance player welfare and reduce injury risk and injury burden.

On the advancement of the study, Ali Emery said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of this research project. For years, there has been the need for injury research in UK ice hockey to help identify the injuries our players commonly sustain.”

“Once we have this information, we can then make more informed changes on how to reduce these injuries or manage them better.”

“From here, it also opens up many more opportunities for further research to help implement further changes to continue to enhance player welfare across all ages.”

Dr Ashley Jones said: “Currently, there is a paucity of evidence detailing injury rates in UK ice hockey. This information is desperately needed to enhance medical provision practices, coach education and player welfare.

“We hope the ice hockey community help us by completing this survey – the information will help continue to move this brilliant sport forwards.”

The launch of the survey will be the beginning of September, and for this project to be a success, we encourage as many players as possible to take the time to complete it.

We are equally invested in gaining an understanding of youth injury data, so urge the parents and guardians of younger players to also participate on their behalf.

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