TORONTO (AP) — With NHL training camps starting this weekend, the issue of concussions is front and center for a group of doctors, researchers and players who want to educate the public about the potential long-term effects of the brain injury.
A meeting being held Saturday at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital will also look at the situations under which concussions occur and how they can be prevented, with a focus on teaching young players about the dangers of head trauma and how to better protect themselves.
Michael Hutchison, a postdoctoral fellow in injury prevention at St. Michael’s, will present findings from a study of almost 200 concussions that occurred among NHL players from the start of the 2007 season to midseason 2010.
By analyzing video clips of incidents that led to those brain injuries, Hutchison found that most are caused by direct hits to the head involving actions by other players — predominantly head shots with a shoulder, elbow or gloves. About one in 10 were the result of fights.
