Study: Illegal Hits Play A Big Role In Youth Hockey Concussions

(KDKA) A study published in Pediatrics says that nearly half of concussions sustained in youth hockey are the result of an illegal hit.

According to HealthDay.com, while the rate of concussions in hockey is not greater than in other contact sports, more than 40 percent are caused by illegal hits.

According to the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program, illegal moves include hitting from behind, crossing arms to hit a player in the neck and jumping on a player to push him into the wall.

The study also found that ice hockey players were more likely to get a concussion during practice than kids in other sports practices.

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Anthony Kontos, the author of the study and the research director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Sports Medicine Concussion Programs, suggests that properly training kids to obey the rules and correctly enforcing penalties will greatly reduce concussions.

Kontos also says that younger players are a higher risk.

"Younger players may be at higher risk for concussion than older players, possibly due to unfamiliarity with checking and disparities in body size and strength, which highlights the need for concussion awareness and clinical care in this at-risk age group," Kontos said.

Read more about the study here.