Body checking is a controversial part of ice hockey, and a new study sheds light on its role in injuries among Japanese professional players. We examine the link between body checking and serious injuries, such as shoulder dislocations and knee problems, and ask whether current rules are enough to protect players. Join us for a discussion of the risks and rewards of this physical aspect of the game and what the future holds for player safety.
Main source: Injury rate and characteristics in Japanese male professional ice hockey players: prospective study of 60 players over 10 seasons
Katsunori Suzuki, Daisuke Yoneoka, Masakazu Terada, Katsuyuki Kenjo, Toshiya Koyanagi, Yuki Suzuki
BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024; 10(1): e001720. Published online 2024 Mar 19. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001720
PMCID: PMC10952867
