Unexpected Findings from a Pilot Study on Vision Training as a Potential Intervention to Reduce Subconcussive Head Impacts during a Collegiate Ice Hockey Season.

Player-to-player contact is the most frequent head impact mechanism in collegiate ice hockey. Training with three-dimensional multiple-object tracking (3D-MOT) could potentially reduce the quantity and severity of head impacts by enhancing player anticipation of these impacts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 3D-MOT training to reduce the numbers of head impacts sustained by National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III men's and women's ice hockey players. Collegiate men's and women's ice hockey players ( N  = 33; men = 17, women = 16) were randomly assigned to a 3D-MOT group ( n  = 17) or a control (C) group ( n  = 16). Head impacts were monitored during practices and games, and 3D-MOT training occurred twice per week for 12 weeks throughout one regular season. 3D-MOT forwards sustained head impacts with greater mean peak linear acceleration (3D-MOT = 41.33 ± 28.54 g; C = 38.03 ± 24.30 g) and mean peak rotational velocity (3D-MOT = 13.59 ± 8.18 rad. sec-1 ; C = 12.47 ± 7.69 rad. sec-1 ) in games, and greater mean peak rotational velocity in practices versus C forwards (3D-MOT = 11.96 ± 6.77 rad. sec-1 ; C = 10.22 ± 6.95 rad. sec-1 ). Conversely, 3D-MOT defensemen sustained head impacts with a mean peak rotational velocity less than that of C defensemen (3D-MOT = 11.54 ± 6.76 rad. sec-1 ; C = 13.65 ± 8.43 rad. sec-1 ). There was no significant difference for all other parameters analyzed between 3D-MOT and C groups. Player position may play an important role in future interventions to reduce head impacts in collegiate ice hockey.