Contact: Frank
Fortin
ffortin@mms.org
781-434-7099
pager 877-820-9024
What:
Boston University hockey player
Travis Roy brought national attention to the horror of cervical spine
(neck)
injuries on the ice, but it's a danger that's been around since the
early
1980s, as the game has become increasingly aggressive. In the United
States in
1995, five hockey players were paralyzed from cervical spine injuries
sustained
in the rink. The injury typically occurs when the player goes into the
boards
with his neck flexed (tucked into the chest). There is no protective
equipment
that will prevent this injury.
The most effective way to counter these injuries is
simple,
yet counter-intuitive: Keep your head up and don't duck. This gives your
neck
the maximum flexibility to endure the impact of a crash. When possible,
a
player should try to break the impact of the collision with an arm or
leg.
The Massachusetts Medical Society's (MMS) Committee
on
Student Health and Sports Medicine is trying to get the word out on a
program
called: Heads Up, Don't Duck! The program consists of a video, a
coaching
curriculum, brochures and posters. MMS member Alan Ashare, M.D, one of
the
program's developers, teaches hockey coaches and players how to reduce
the
likelihood of head and neck injuries. Ashare, involved in youth hockey
for 15
years, serves as director-at-large of USA Hockey (the national governing
board). He lectures, writes widely and holds training clinics for youth
and
high school coaches on hockey safety. The MMS's Committee on Student
Health and
Sports Medicine, of which Dr. Ashare is a member, is currently focusing
its
efforts on the prevention of head injuries in sports.
Why: The
hockey season has just begun
and it's a good time to remind players and coaches of this very
important
safety concept.
Visuals:
Hyde Park Youth Hockey team Squirt
B (ages 9-11) will practice some of the Heads Up, Don't Duck! drills
during
their practice Tuesday evening. Coach Lou Bello and Dr. Ashare will be
on hand
to take them through the drills and talk to them about why it's
important to
keep their heads up.
Where:
Metropolitan District Commission's
Bajko Rink, 75 Turtle Pond Parkway, (off of River St.) Hyde Park
617-364-9188
When: 6-7
p.m.Tuesday October 28
Who: Alan
Ashare, M.D., Massachusetts
Medical Society and Director-at-Large of USA Hockey
Lou Bello, Coach of Squirt B youth hockey team
Squirt B hockey team (ages 9-11)
