Hockey CTE Risk: Years Played Linked to 34% Increase
Years on the ice elevate CTE risk. A new Boston University study reveals each year of ice hockey play increases the odds of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) by 34%. Analyzing 77 deceased male hockey players, the research showed that 96% of professional players exhibited CTE signs. The findings underscore a significant link between the cumulative amount of play and the severity of this neurodegenerative disease. The study highlights that all male players face potential danger, not just those in enforcement roles. News Directory 3 provides incisive coverage of vital health risks tied to sports. discover what’s next in understanding CTE and its impact on athletes everywhere.
Years of Hockey Linked to Increased CTE Risk
A new Boston University CTE Center study of 77 deceased male ice hockey players reveals a significant correlation between years played and the growth of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study, the largest of its kind, found that the odds of having CTE increased by 34% for each year played. Notably, 18 of 19 former National Hockey League (NHL) players examined had CTE.
CTE, a neurodegenerative disease, stems from repeated traumatic brain injuries, often found in athletes exposed to repetitive head impacts (RHI). While CTE risk is often associated with “enforcers,” the research indicates that all male ice hockey players face a potential risk.
Jesse Mez, MD, MS, co-director of clinical research at the CTE center and associate professor of neurology at Boston University Chobanian & avedisian School of Medicine, emphasized the study’s implications.”Ice hockey players with longer careers not only were more likely to have CTE, but they also had more severe disease,” Mez said. He hopes the findings will spur changes to enhance player safety and improve care for former players affected by CTE.
The study examined the brains of amateur and professional male hockey players. CTE pathology was present in 96% (27 of 28) of professional players, including 18 of 19 NHL players and all nine non-NHL professionals. Among college, junior, and semi-professional players, 46% (13 of 28) showed CTE, while 10% (2 of 21) of youth and high school players had the disease. Researchers caution that these frequencies should not be interpreted as the overall prevalence of CTE, as symptomatic individuals are more likely to donate their brains for research.
Of the enforcers studied, 18 of 22 had CTE.However, after accounting for years of play, the difference between enforcers and non-enforcers was not statistically significant.
Mez noted that while enforcers have been a focus in the CTE discussion, the study highlights the cumulative amount of play as the primary risk factor for CTE. “Enforcers had about twice the odds of developing CTE,but the takeaway here is that non-enforcers are getting CTE as well,” Mez said. He attributed the risk to the impacts sustained during play, such as collisions with other players, the ice, boards, and glass.
Ice hockey joins American football and rugby as major sports demonstrating a dose-response relationship between years of play and CTE risk, reinforcing the link between repetitive head impacts and CTE. The study did not assess CTE risk among female ice hockey players due to differing rules regarding checking.
What’s next
Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms of head impacts leading to CTE and to develop strategies for preventing and treating the disease. Future studies should also investigate the potential risks for female ice hockey players.