Ice Hockey | Evolving Consumer

In the Blood

Blood tests can reveal a lot of information and researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden have now developed a blood test that reveals the severity of a concussion. This could also allow a player

know when it is safe to return to the game. This is done through measurement of the tau, a special nerve cell protein, and can be used to determine if at elevated levels whether there is a concussion.
By measuring th tau levels in a regular blood test, the researchers could say how severe the concussion was just one hour after the injury, and with a high level of certainty could predict which players would have long-term symptoms and thereby needed to rest longer.

“In ice hockey and other contact sports, repeated concussions are common, where the brain has not finished healing after the first blow. This kind of injury is particularly dangerous, but there have not been any methods for monitoring how a concussion in an athlete heals,” says Henrik Zetterberg.

[Via University of Gothenburg: Blood test identifies brain damage from concussion in ice hockey]

Hockey Season Washed Out Due to Mild Winter

Ice-Rink — It's melting, melting, melting...

The sky isn’t falling, but the ice on the ground is melting. That’s the findings of a new study by scientists at McGill and Concordia universities and it is essentially ruining this year’s outdoor hockey season. As CNN.com noted this week in a story titled, “Study claims possible end to Canada’s outdoor pastime,” several headlines from around Canada predicted an ominous future including: “Thin Ice: Canada’s outdoor rinks face meltdown,” “Global warming could spell the end of Canada’s outdoor hockey rink” and even “Climate change melting backyard hockey rinks.” Continue reading Hockey Season Washed Out Due to Mild Winter

Road Bumps Get Inline

: Newron Axion inline skates absorb the bumps in the road.

Just when you thought inline skating was yesterday’s news, blades get an innovation. Newron Sport developed tandem technology, grouping the wheels in pairs with a shock absorption and pivot system, so skaters get an experience that’s more like ice skating. Inline skates typically present what’s termed “roller-stride,” which means bladers are unable to execute a toe kick with efficiency. That limitation hinders a part of the stride extension. Inline skaters also typically have slower acceleration, less extension and shorter recovery on strides. This is compared to ice skating, and ice hockey in particular.

Newron skates have two pairs of wheels on each foot that pivot as the surface changes to absorb shock and create a smooth ride. This could explain the resurgence of inline skaters we see in the park after a few summers of fewer skaters. Newron makes skates for recreational inline skaters and wheel sets and full skates for hockey players looking to train on the pavement to supplement ice time.

Newron Sport

Mouth Guards: Now With More Absorption Power

When you sign up for a contact sport such as football, boxing, ice hockey, and wrestling you know you need a mouth guard, but do you realize how important it is? Not just to protect your pearly whites. “Ninety percent of concussions resulting in unconsciousness are caused by impact to the lower jaw,” says Joe Manzo, president of Brain-Pad, a company that offers a new mouth guard with more absorption power.

Brain-Pad’s new piece, the 3XS professional model (available at Wal-Mart and other retailers for $34.95) uses a patented technology and dual-protection system that offers 40 percent more absorption power than comparable models. The 3XS is a dual arch, bi-molar mouth guard that stabilizes the jaw in a neutral position, creating a safety space at the base of the skull that reduces the risk of jaw impact concussions and TMJ injuries. Traditionally mouth guards just protected the upper or lower teeth, but not both. The 3XS also opens the airway in the throat 100 percent, which allows you to breathe better, which is crucial to any sport.

Brain-Pad