Head injuries and concussions are a worrying and all too common occurrence in ice hockey and other contact sports. Players are often sidelined for months, many are forced to retire early due to the severity of their concussions, and in rare cases, concussions lead to long-term neuropsychological dysfunction, dementia later in life, or even death.
Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and management of concussions, there is currently no standard treatment that significantly reduces the physical and societal burden of the injuries. The conventional course of action after sustaining a concussion is intensive, daily physical therapy with the goal of preventing further brain damage and reshaping the player's motor skills and strength, with the goal of giving him or her the chance to return to the game they love.
Only the elite get the healthcare they need
However, only the elite players in the top leagues have access to such rigorous medical care. This is because only the top leagues have the budget to maintain such a high level of care for their players. In addition, players in the lower leagues need to work on the side to support their families, and therefore have limited time to devote to the recommended medical care after a concussion.
Studies show that the incidence of concussions in ice hockey is increasing. A study from 2016 that measured the incidence rate of sports-related concussions in a team from the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) over time (1984-2013) shows a change in the injury pattern towards relatively more concussions and also an increased concussion rate.
Köping Hockey invests in PolarCap
While the SHL, which is the highest ice hockey league in Sweden, has the financial resources to provide its players with the best healthcare available, the hockey league HockeyOne not have the same resources. Yet a team in HockeyEttan, Koping Hockey, decided to prioritize player safety by investing in PolarCap, a medical device worn by affected players immediately after the concussion, which results in cooling the brain, lowering inflammation levels, and thus preventing long-term brain damage.
PolarCap is developed by the Lund-based medical technology company PolarCoolThe company's vision is to give athletes peace of mind while practicing the sport they are passionate about, by reducing the risk of early career termination due to concussion.
This vision is well on its way to being realized, as PolarCap has been clinically validated (read more here), and several top sports teams in Europe have adopted the device to protect their players. Last year, the SHL itself renewed its agreement with PolarCool to provide PolarCap in all of its 14 arenas. In addition, some teams in the second highest division have HockeyAllsvenskan signed an agreement with PolarCool to bring in PolarCap (read more here). Now Köping has also invested in the brain-cooling device.
Köping's chairman talks about the importance of player safety
BioStock contacted Köping's chairman of the board Anders Nasstrom to find out why, despite the lower budget, they decided to invest in PolarCap.
Anders Näsström, what is your main responsibility as chairman of Köping Hockey when it comes to player safety?
– It is our responsibility, we who work with this know that it is a sport where injuries occur. We are not a professional association, all our players have other jobs so we also have a social responsibility in ensuring that they can work. It is our responsibility to do everything to minimize injuries.
How big a problem are head injuries and concussions in Köping Hockey?
–Last season we had two players retire due to concussions. It varies from season to season. On average I would say we have three concussions in the senior team per year.
Do you think professional sports leagues are doing enough to protect players from concussions and give players the peace of mind they need to play the sport they love without worrying too much about head injuries?
– People have become more aware of head injuries in the last 5–6 years, but before that it was the macho culture that prevailed, just get out and drive again after an injury. Now people have started to take the problem more seriously, but there is still a lot to be done.
How did you first hear about PolarCap?
–I heard about PolarCap from a parent of a junior in our club who was at a cup where a player suffered a concussion and where PolarCap was used. The day after the incident, PolarCool called me to sell the product, it was a coincidence. I was completely convinced that we should buy in and everyone on the board said yes.
Köping is in the third ice hockey league in Sweden and thus has a significantly lower budget compared to the SHL. What does this mean for Köping's players regarding healthcare options?
– We have a much lower budget, but it all depends on what you value. Most clubs in our league spend all their money on signing players. We want the players to feel that we take care of them.
Despite Köping's lower budget, they still decided to invest in PolarCap to provide it to all their teams. Why?
– We saw studies about how well the product works. But then I really like this type of project and felt that we should be involved in testing. I hope that everyone at HockeyEttan will be involved so that PolarCap is always in place in the hall.
Does this purchase mean you have to make financial sacrifices elsewhere?
– No, we have only offered the players less pay, but it is an advantage for them in the long run. If we can reduce sick leave, they can continue to go to work. Anyone who gets a concussion probably thinks it is worth it.
Ultimately, a device like the PolarCap is a welcome addition to a team's medical arsenal, but what more needs to be done to preserve the health and well-being of professional athletes in a sport like ice hockey?
– One measure that is needed is to remove the tempered glass that remains in division one, it's like being tackled against concrete. The helmets have gotten better, but they can be developed even more. There is a lot to do.
