The Science of Hockey
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The Science of Hockey explores the scientific aspects of ice hockey and other sports. The podcast utilizes data, research, and evidence to explain how the sport is played, trained, and understood. From biomechanics to performance psychology, the podcast provides scientific insights into the game, going beyond traditional commentary and focusing on the science behind the action. The goal is to make scientific information accessible and engaging for players, coaches, parents, and fans of hockey.
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This episode investigates whether concussion education programs actually improve knowledge and behavior among hockey players. Learn how well players understand symptoms, risks, and reporting—and what more needs to be done to protect athletes.Explore the link between education and concussion awareness in ice hockey. This episode reveals how informed players really are about head injuries, and whether formal education helps prevent underreporting and risky play.Main source: Association between concussion education and concussion knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among youth ice hockey parents and coaches: a cross-sectional studyAmanda M. Black, Keith Owen Yeates, Shelina Babul, Alberto Nettel-Aguirre, Carolyn A. EmeryBMJ Open. 2020; 10(8): e038166. Published online 2020 Aug 23. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038166PMCID: PMC7445332
This episode explores the effectiveness of mouthguards and visors in preventing injuries among youth ice hockey players. Learn which protective equipment reduces risk—and which may offer limited benefit—based on data from thousands of players.Are mouthguards and visors making a difference in youth hockey safety? We dive into the science behind protective gear, analyzing injury trends, types of trauma, and what the evidence says about real-world impact.Main source: Protective equipment in youth ice hockey: are mouthguards and helmet age relevant to concussion risk?Ash T Kolstad, Paul H Eliason, Jean-Michel Galarneau, Amanda Marie Black, Brent E Hagel, Carolyn A EmeryBr J Sports Med. 2023 May; 57(10): 571–577. Published online 2023 Mar 14. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105585Correction in: Br J Sports Med. 2024 May 2; 58(10): e6.PMCID: PMC10176392
This episode explores substance use and availability among ex-professional ice hockey players. Learn how pain, mental health, and team culture influence the use of prescription and recreational drugs—and what it reveals about the lasting toll of the sport.Dive into a study examining how retired pro hockey players manage pain and health post-career. Discover the patterns of drug use, both prescribed and illicit, and the factors that shape athletes' decisions long after they leave the ice.Main source: Substance availability and use in ex-professional ice hockey enforcersMichael GaetzSci Rep. 2022; 12: 22204. Published online 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26806-7PMCID: PMC9789070
This episode explores the link between the FAAH gene polymorphism and performance traits in elite hockey players. Discover how a genetic variant may influence motivation, pain tolerance, and resilience—giving some athletes a psychological edge.Dive into the fascinating connection between genetics and athletic performance in ice hockey. We unpack how the FAAH rs324420 polymorphism affects mental traits like persistence and stress response, potentially influencing success at the elite level.Main source: FAAH rs324420 Polymorphism Is Associated with Performance in Elite Rink-Hockey PlayersHugo-Henrique Silva, Valéria Tavares, Maria-Raquel G. Silva, Beatriz Vieira Neto, Fátima Cerqueira, Rui MedeirosBiology (Basel) 2022 Jul; 11(7): 1076. Published online 2022 Jul 20. doi: 10.3390/biology11071076PMCID: PMC9312224
This episode dives into the high prevalence and severity of hip and groin injuries among male ice hockey players across all levels. Learn what movements and positions are most at risk, and how training load, age, and level of play influence injury patterns.Main source: Incidence, Prevalence, and Severity of and Risk Factors for Hip and Groin Problems in Swedish Male Ice Hockey Players: A 1-Season Prospective Cohort StudyTobias Wörner, Kristian Thorborg, Benjamin Clarsen, Frida EekJ Athl Train. 2022 Jan; 57(1): 72–78. Published online 2021 May 26. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0522.20PMCID: PMC8775280
This episode explores the current concepts in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cervical spine injuries in ice hockey. From game-speed collisions to sideline management, learn how spine boards, imaging, and return-to-play protocols shape outcomes.Dive into the critical care of cervical spine injuries in ice hockey. We cover the latest in on-ice assessment, imaging decisions, and surgical vs. conservative treatment—plus how to keep players safe while maintaining high-level performance.Main source: Cervical Spine Injuries in the Ice Hockey Player: Current Concepts in Epidemiology, Management and PreventionCole Morrissette, Paul J. Park, Ronald A. Lehman, Charles A. PopkinGlobal Spine J. 2021 Oct; 11(8): 1299–1306. Published online 2020 Nov 18. doi: 10.1177/2192568220970549PMCID: PMC8453685
This episode dives into how functional movement patterns and dynamic balance relate to skating speed and agility in young elite male hockey players. Discover why hip mobility, lower body asymmetries, and balance might be the keys to unlocking faster, more efficient skating.Explore the science behind skating performance in youth hockey. Learn how movement screens, balance tests, and hidden asymmetries affect speed and agility—and what coaches and players can do to improve training and prevent injuries.Main source: The relationship between functional movement patterns, dynamic balance and ice speed and agility in young elite male ice hockey playersMałgorzata Grabara, Anna BieniecPeerJ. 2024; 12: e18092. Published online 2024 Oct 11. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18092PMCID: PMC11472790
This episode examines the developmental journeys of elite junior hockey players and the push toward early sport specialization. Discover how hours of practice, dropping other sports, and intense training at a young age shape success and risk in Canada’s hockey system.Explore what early sport specialization really looks like for elite junior hockey players. From deliberate play to deliberate practice, learn how players trade childhood fun for competitive edge—and the physical and psychological risks that come with it.
This episode dives into a study combining helmet sensors and video to reveal when and how head impacts occur in men’s university hockey. Learn why glass hits are more common than boards, how few penalties are called, and what this means for player safety and concussion prevention.Discover the hidden patterns of head impacts in men’s hockey. We unpack the circumstances, severity, and overlooked hits that don’t get penalized—giving you a new perspective on concussion risks, protective gear, and needed rule changes.Main source: Associations between the circumstances and severity of head impacts in men’s university ice hockeyOlivia M. G. Aguiar, Tim R. Chow, Helen Chong, Omid Vakili, Stephen N. RobinovitchSci Rep. 2023; 13: 17402. Published online 2023 Oct 13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-43785-5PMCID: PMC10575878
This episode explores why elite ice hockey players use dietary supplements to manage weight and boost performance, despite the risks of contamination and unintentional doping. Learn how team culture, trust in coaches, and sponsorships shape supplement habits on and off the ice.Discover the real motivations behind dietary supplement use in elite ice hockey. From protein shakes and creatine to anti-doping risks, this episode reveals how players balance performance, nutrition, and the threat of unintentional doping violations.Main source: Motivations for Using Dietary Supplements in Elite Ice Hockey—Controlling Weight and Enhancing PerformanceSofie Christensen, Astrid Gjelstad, Ingunn Björnsdottir, Fredrik LauritzenNutrients. 2024 Aug; 16(16): 2667. Published online 2024 Aug 13. doi: 10.3390/nu16162667PMCID: PMC11357155
This episode explores how elite ice hockey players rely on painkillers and hypnotics to manage injuries and sleep. Discover how team culture, macho attitudes, and deep trust in medical staff shape medication use—and the risks it poses for health and anti-doping compliance.Dive into a mixed-method study on the use of medications in elite ice hockey. From NSAIDs to sleeping pills, learn how high training loads, late games, and team dynamics drive reliance on pharmaceuticals, sometimes at the cost of long-term health and clean sport.Main source: Medicalization of Sport? A Mixed-Method Study on the Use of Medications in Elite Ice HockeySofie Christensen, Astrid Gjelstad, Ingunn Björnsdottir, Fredrik LauritzenSports (Basel) 2024 Jan; 12(1): 19. Published online 2024 Jan 5. doi: 10.3390/sports12010019PMCID: PMC10818849
This episode dives into a study comparing low back pain across pro ice hockey, football, and floorball players. Learn why hockey players have a 2.18-times greater risk of back pain, what factors contribute to it, and how prevention can protect careers.Explore the hidden burden of low back pain in professional athletes. We break down why ice hockey players are most affected, what movements and conditions increase risk, and how targeted prevention can make a difference.Main source: Comparative Risk Analysis of Low Back Pain among Professional Football, Ice Hockey, and Floorball AthletesMagdaléna Hagovská, Alena Buková, Peter Takáč, Viliam Knap, Perla Ondová, Katarína Oravcová, Anna KubincováMed Sci Monit. 2023; 29: e941386-1–e941386-8. Prepublished online 2023 Jun 7. Published online 2023 Sep 6. doi: 10.12659/MSM.941386PMCID: PMC10494549
This episode explores how wearable sensors measure body impacts in elite hockey players. Learn how video analysis confirms the accuracy of sensor-detected collisions and what it means for player safety and injury prevention.Discover the science behind wearable impact sensors in ice hockey. We examine how well these sensors track body contact, from checks to falls, and their role in improving injury monitoring and player protection.Main source: Video corroboration of player incurred impacts using trunk worn sensors among national ice-hockey team membersAaron Pilotti-Riley, Davor Stojanov, Muhammad Sohaib Arif, Stephen J. McGregorPLoS One. 2019; 14(6): e0218235. Published online 2019 Jun 24. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218235PMCID: PMC6590802
Explore the interplay of cognitive and motor skills in elite ice hockey players. This episode delves into how multitasking affects performance and compares dual-task costs across open- and closed-skill sports, shedding light on training and talent identification.Discover how elite athletes manage dual-task demands that combine speed and focus. Learn about the differences in cognitive-motor performance between hockey players and athletes in other sports, and why multitasking is a key to success on the ice.Main source: Dual-task costs in speed tasks: a comparison between elite ice hockey, open-skill and closed-skill sports athletesMark Brinkbäumer, Christian Kupper, Lukas Reichert, Karen ZentgrafFront Psychol. 2024; 15: 1357312. Published online 2024 Jul 15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357312PMCID: PMC11284104
Explore the effects of wearing surgical face masks on youth hockey performance during intense exercise. This episode examines whether masks impact oxygen levels, heart rate, or skating ability, and the surprising results reveal practical insights for safe play.Can face masks be worn without affecting performance in youth hockey? This episode dives into a study showing minimal impact on exercise metrics, including muscle oxygenation and power output, providing reassurance for safe mask use in sports.Main source: Wearing a Surgical Face Mask Has Minimal Effect on Performance and Physiological Measures during High-Intensity Exercise in Youth Ice-Hockey Players: A Randomized Cross-Over TrialKeely A. Shaw, Scotty Butcher, Jong Bum Ko, Abdi Absher, Julianne Gordon, Cody Tkachuk, Gordon A. Zello, Philip D. ChilibeckInt J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct; 18(20): 10766. Published online 2021 Oct 14. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010766PMCID: PMC8535201
This episode explores the psychological effects of concussions on hockey players, focusing on how injuries disrupt and reshape their identity. Learn about the challenges of mental illness, stigma, and the journey toward recovery and reconstruction.Dive into the interplay between concussions and mental health in hockey. From depression and isolation to biographical reconstruction, this episode uncovers how players navigate the emotional and social impacts of their injuries.Main source: Understanding the psychiatric effects of concussion on constructed identity in hockey players: Implications for health professionalsRyan Todd, Shree Bhalerao, Michael T. Vu, Sophie Soklaridis, Michael D. CusimanoPLoS One. 2018; 13(2): e0192125. Published online 2018 Feb 21. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192125PMCID: PMC5821444
Explore the physiological and positional demands of professional ice hockey. This episode examines acceleration, deceleration, and heart rate data to uncover how defensemen and forwards manage performance and fatigue during games.Dive into the science behind professional hockey gameplay. Learn how positional roles and game periods influence acceleration, recovery, and energy demands, revealing new insights into player performance.Main source: Game Demands of a Professional Ice Hockey Team with Special Emphasis on Fatigue Development and Playing PositionVincenzo Rago, Adrian Muschinsky, Kasper Deylami, Jeppe F. Vigh-Larsen, Magni MohrJ Hum Kinet. 2022 Oct; 84: 195–205. Published online 2022 Nov 8. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2022-000078PMCID: PMC9679183
Explore the epidemiology of injuries in Swiss professional ice hockey players, focusing on traumatic and overuse injury patterns. This episode highlights the prevalence of hip/groin issues, concussions, and the role of game dynamics in player safety.Dive into a study on injuries in Swiss pro hockey. Learn about the high rates of hip/groin injuries, concussions, and other trauma, along with the challenges of managing overuse injuries during intense competition.Main source: Epidemiology of Traumatic and Overuse Injuries in Swiss Professional Male Ice Hockey PlayersRomana Brunner, Mario Bizzini, Karin Niedermann, Nicola A. MaffiulettiOrthop J Sports Med. 2020 Oct; 8(10): 2325967120964720. Published online 2020 Oct 19. doi: 10.1177/2325967120964720PMCID: PMC7592329
This episode explores the relationship between sprinting mechanics, anaerobic capacity, and repeated-sprint ability in adolescent hockey players. Learn how force-velocity profiles differ by gender and how they influence training strategies.Dive into a study on sprint mechanics and anaerobic performance in youth ice hockey. Discover how force and speed capacities vary between male and female players and their implications for off-season training.Main source: Exploring associations between sprinting mechanical capabilities, anaerobic capacity, and repeated-sprint ability of adolescent ice hockey playersJulien Glaude-Roy, Philippe Pharand, Jean-François Brunelle, Jean LemoyneFront Sports Act Living. 2023; 5: 1258497. Published online 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1258497PMCID: PMC10788422
Explore the determinants of fast attack performance in elite women’s ice hockey. This episode examines how shooting zones, one-timers, and second-period strategies separate winning teams from losing ones at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.Discover how fast attack tactics impact game outcomes in women’s ice hockey. Learn why shooting performance, tactical zones, and effective one-timers are pivotal to offensive success at the highest level of competition.Main source: Determinants of fast attack performance on match outcome in the elite women’s ice hockeyNaiyuan Tian, Gang XuPLoS One. 2024; 19(7): e0306469. Published online 2024 Jul 5. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306469PMCID: PMC11226076
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