-
Youth Hockey Players: “Heads Up, Don’t Duck”
Share this:
With more than a half million U.S. children playing hockey, there's a renewed effort to keep them from getting hurt. As the young players careen toward the boards, it's almost instinctive for them to duck their heads. But experts say that's the wrong thing to do. USA Hockey and Mayo Clinic have released a video with powerful animation demonstrating the dangers of players tucking or ducking their heads as they hit the boards. A training program called “Heads Up, Don’t Duck” teaches players to instantly choose the safest posture for impact. Orthopedic surgeon Michael Stuart, M.D., says, “If you can’t avoid head contact, always keep your head up and don’t duck. When the head is up, the normal curvature of the spine has more shock-absorbing ability. When the head is down, the spine is straight, which makes it more susceptible to fracture that can damage the spinal cord.” Dr. Stuart is also co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center and chief medical officer for USA Hockey.
To interview Dr. Stuart, contact:
Bryan Anderson
507-284-5005
newsbureau@mayo.edu
Share this:
Related articles
A panic attack is an episode of intense fear with an abrupt onset, lasting from several minutes to up to an hour. It has many ...
The Mid-Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30. Various reports indicate the 2023 season will be an active one. The National Hurricane Center ...
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I'm a 48-year-old woman who just started going through menopause. I feel like I'm handling the hot flashes, sleepless nights and other symptoms ...