Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal have developed a new quick and effective balance test for hockey players to establish if they have a concussion.

Hockey concussions are common but can be challenging to diagnose, especially in the heat of the moment. Furthermore, hockey players are currently required to remove all their gear before testing.

According to Health Canada, concussions are the most common injury for boys aged 5 to 14 who play hockey.

The new In-Skates Balance Error Scoring System (SBESS) test specific to hockey players allows for a quick and effective evaluation with the player removing only their helmet and gloves

Research team leader Dr. Scott Delaney, a sports medicine physician, said it was essential to develop a new method of concussion testing because athletes often under-report them at risk to their health.

“Currently, the balance assessment is one of the most important physical exams after a possible concussion, and the most likely to pick up abnormalities, but it has to be done barefoot in shorts and a T-shirt,” said Delaney. “It’s not adapted to the reality of hockey players.”

The MUHC researchers claim the time saving three-step test, which takes about two minutes, will encourage players to report symptoms.

McGill Martlets forward Kellyann Lecours, who has suffered two concussions in the past three years, supports Dr. Delaney’s point of view. “Especially when you’re in the game, it’s hard to let go of the game and just give up on the game, and sometimes you feel like oh there’s four minutes left I can tough it out and then I’ll see at the end,” said Lecours.

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