Key result
Modified game schedules and reduced training during the 2020-2021 NHL season were associated with a significantly higher rate of overall player injuries compared to baseline seasons (IPR 1.19).
Why the study?
COVID-19 schedule modifications decreased player training and preparation time, but their impact on NHL player injury rates remained unclear.
Do modified game schedules and decreased training time increase injury rates in National Hockey League players?
Observational
Do modified game schedules and decreased training time increase injury rates in National Hockey League players?
Relative Risk: 1.19 (95% CI 1.09–1.3)
Absolute Event Rate: 11.06% vs 9.29%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Modified game schedules, elimination of preseason games, and increased game density due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased injury rates among NHL players.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
May warrant caution in condensed professional hockey schedules; leaves open causal mechanisms and generalizability to other sports.
Ehlen et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Ice hockey injuries. Modified game schedules (COVID-19 pandemic changes) vs. Standard NHL seasons was evaluated on Injury proportion ratio (IPR) comparing injury rates of the post-COVID-19 season with baseline seasons (IPR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.30, p=<0.0001). Modified game schedules and reduced training during the 2020-2021 NHL season were associated with a significantly higher rate of overall player injuries compared to baseline seasons (IPR 1.19).
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