While the idea of playing field hockey may be appealing to the eye, it’s important to remember the inherent risks involved when playing this sport. The aim of this blog post is to highlight a few of these risks and how you can prepare yourself for them. So if you’re thinking about playing field hockey or know someone who has, here’s a quick guide.
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The Injuries
As with any other sport, injuries are a key consideration when planning on playing field hockey. Fortunately, due to improvements in equipment and protective gear over the years, injury rates have decreased substantially. However, this doesn’t mean that injuries don’t happen. In fact, in 2014, the USA Hockey recorded over 54,000 cases of ice hockey injuries, including over 14,000 concussions. That’s over 70% of the population. This clearly highlights just how dangerous ice hockey is and how much it affects the community at large. Concussions are especially worrisome in this regard because it can take a while for the symptoms to show, which makes it harder to detect. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a hit in hockey, you may have a concussion:
- headache
- dizziness
- slurred speech
- sleepiness
- sensitivity to light
- difficulty concentrating
- memory problems
The Choking Hazard
Another key consideration when playing any contact sport is how your body responds to the stress of being hit or being in contact with the ball. One of the best-known sports scandals in history is the Battle of Crete, which involved an injury to a wrestler named Eddy Thejakanaka that led to his death. In the middle of a bout, Eddy was accidentally ganged up on by his opponents, which caused him to seize up and eventually die of asphyxiation. If you or any of your family members have a history of asthma or allergies, you should consider this when planning on playing field hockey, in case an asthma attack or allergic reaction occurs during or after a game.
The Dangers Of Overuse
Just because injuries can happen doesn’t mean that they’re a natural part of the game. Many of them are caused by overuse – repeated and habitual use of a body part or activity beyond what’s safe for the individual. For example, players who have experience head injuries often report feeling a “rush” when taking hard hits during practice or competition. This is referred to as “head sensitivity,” and is attributed to a buildup of scar tissue within the brain as a result of the initial injury. While this sensitivity is beneficial in the right context, it can also make you more susceptible to getting injured in the first place. When it comes to playing hockey, too much exercise can seriously damage your body and put you at risk of overuse injuries. This is why it’s important to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. It’s also key to drink plenty of water during exercise and practice to avoid dehydration. Many hockey players and coaches recommend avoiding dehydration as much as possible because it can seriously affect your performance. It’s also important to note here that weight loss (via dehydration or dieting) may in fact increase your risk of injury.
The above information should give you a good idea of the inherent risks involved with playing field hockey. If you or anyone you know is thinking about playing this sport, it’s important to remember the risks and know how to prepare for them. Even if it’s just for fun, always check with your local hockey authorities before you engage in any physical activity.