Balance And Jump Dynamics As An Indicator For Musculoskeletal Injury Risk In Collegiate Hockey Players

Hockey players must maintain dynamic balance to adapt quickly to the game's dynamic elements, stay on their feet longer, and perform skills like skating and stick handling more effectively. Poor dynamic balance, reduced jumping ability, muscle strength, and incorrect landing patterns can contribute to an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury in athletes. PURPOSE: To determine injury risk indicators in hockey players using balance and jump dynamics in men’s and women’s hockey players. METHODS: A single force plate protocol was used to assess unilateral balance and jump dynamics in 31 male (21.7 ± 1.1 yrs) and 24 female (19.9 ± 1.1 yrs) collegiate hockey players. Unilateral balance and asymmetry were measured via the center of pressure (COP) and weight shift control asymmetry (%) and single-leg balance via two trial sets on the force plate. Jump height (in.) and jump shift (%) were measured via four counter-movement jumps tracking COP and ground reaction force (GRF) release from the force plate via vertical velocity (m/s). Injury risk classification was stratified derived from the most recent jump, balance, and stability scans used the base athletic population model. Group comparisons (sex) were made using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Maximal jump height and shift were higher in the male hockey players (19.2 ± 1.9 in. vs. 13.6 ± 1.4 in., p < 0.05) and (2.7 ± 6.2%. vs. 2 ± 8.27%). The unilateral balance mean was lower in male hockey players (52.6 ± 8.7 vs. 55.9 ± 7.1), while the percentage of balance asymmetry was lower in female hockey players (3 ± 1.3% vs. 0.2 ± 1.6%). Injury risk classification was higher in female hockey players (3.2 ± 0.9 vs. 2.7 ± 1.2, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Males recorded significantly larger values for jump height, an increased percentage of jump shift, and balance asymmetry. However, increased variances in female balance and jump dynamics led to a higher injury risk classification.