Open AccessQuality of life of ice hockey players after retirement due to concussions
Author(s) -
Anna Gard,
Niklas Lehto,
Åsa Engström,
Pashtun Shahim,
Henrik Zetterberg,
Kaj Blennow,
Niklas Marklund,
Yelverton Tegner
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
concussion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.205
H-Index - 3
ISSN - 2056-3299
DOI - 10.2217/cnc-2020-0007
Subject(s) - ice hockey , quality (philosophy) , environmental science , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , business , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is increasingly recognized as a potential health problem in ice hockey. Quality of life (QoL) in players retiring due to SRC has not been thoroughly addressed. Materials & methods: QoL using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition, Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Short Form Health Survey was measured in Swedish ice hockey players who retired due to persistence of postconcussion symptoms or fear of attaining additional SRC. Results: A total of 76 players were assessed, on average of 5 years after their most recent SRC. Overall, retired players had a high burden of postconcussion symptoms and reduced QoL. Conclusion: Retired concussed ice hockey players have a reduced QoL, particularly those retiring due to postconcussion symptoms. Symptom burden should be continuously evaluated and guide the decision to retire.