Introduction to Blog
The NHL claims that hockey is a safe sport, but there have been several injuries reported throughout history. These injuries range from minor lacerations and bruises to serious fractures, concussions, and even death. Injuries occur from contact with opponents' stick blades, skate blades, pucks, boards, or other parts of the game equipment. Contact injuries can result from collisions between players or collisions with the ground. Other injuries can occur during fights, from accidentally tripping or falling down, or from blows to the body from being hit with the puck or other objects.
Most players do not
sustain severe injuries except for those who play professionally. However,
there is evidence that concussion-related injury rates among young athletes
participating in non-contact sports are higher than rates associated with
participation in ice hockey. Over a 10-year period beginning in 1995, the rate
of diagnosed concussions among NHL players was double that of rugby players and
triple that of football players. Concussion symptoms included headache,
dizziness, loss of consciousness, memory problems, blurred vision, nausea and
vomiting, and irritability.
Injuries can lead to chronic pain. Studies show that athletes who experience chronic pain tend to engage in fewer team practices and games, miss more practice sessions, and spend less time training. Such injuries may also cause mental distress and lower quality of life, which in turn may decrease performance and increase risk of injury. Other studies suggest that injuries sustained during hockey can affect the heart; however, more research is necessary to understand the mechanism behind these findings. Researchers believe that repeated trauma to joints could alter blood flow.
Heart disease and
stroke are two conditions that have been linked to decreased physical fitness.
Research suggests that hockey exposure in childhood increases the likelihood of
having a fatal heart attack later in life.
Hockey and Its Health Benefits
Hockey is a game
played between two teams of skaters who try to score goals by using their stick
to hit a small ball into the opposing team's goal. In order to play hockey,
players use sticks known as pucks to shoot the puck across the ice towards the
opponent's goal. Puck shots can only be successful if they go past the
goaltender (goalkeeper). When the goalie makes a save, he throws his glove out
and catches the puck before it hits the ground. If the puck gets past the
goalkeeper, the opposing team scores a point. To make a shot at the puck, a
player uses his stick or body to move the puck along the ice surface. Hockey is
often considered to be a contact sport because players may sometimes have to
physically block each other's way to reach the puck. Players wear protective
equipment such as helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, chest protectors,
and gloves. Skate blades range in size depending on the level of competition;
higher levels require larger sizes.
Physical Fitness
Playing sports is
great for your physical health. It helps build muscle, increase stamina,
improve balance, and keeps kids active. Also, playing hockey builds teamwork
skills, communication skills, and goal setting skills.
Equipment Needed To Play Hockey
You need a pair of
skate blades, a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, forearm guards, groin
protector, mouth guard, shoulder pads, chest protector, and a stick. You can
buy these items at sporting goods stores, toy shops, department stores, and
online.
NHL Versus Minor Leagues
Each team consists of 70 players. During the regular season,
each team plays 82 games. Then there is the playoffs, which is divided into
three rounds. After the playoffs, the Stanley Cup final is held. While there
are minor leagues, they do not compete in the same league as the NHL.
Player Stats
A player's job is to
get the puck to the other side of the rink. A player can throw the puck away,
pass the puck to team mates, or shoot the puck. A player's position on the ice
is determined by the type of position they take. Positions include face-off, center,
wing, defenseman, and goaltender. Face off is where a player stands near the
centre of the rink with the puck. Center refers to the middle position on the
ice. Wing refers to a player who spends time high on the left or right side of
the net. Defenseman is a position where a player stands close together to
defend the zone. Goalie is a position where a goalie stands behind the net to
stop the puck.
Team Stats
Team stats include
the number of goals scored, assists, points, penalty minutes, power play goals,
shorthanded goals, and even-strength goals.
Playoff Stats
Playoff stats include
how many wins, losses, ties, overtime losses, shootout losses, etc., were
recorded throughout the entire playoff run.
Important Points to be Noted
- Hockey is a popular sport played on ice surfaces. There are various types of hockey games, including ice hockey (also called field hockey), bandy, shinny, ice sledge hockey and roller hockey. Ice hockey is recognized as the official national winter Olympic, Paralympic, World championship, and world cup sport.
- Hockey is a contact team sport played between two teams on a rectangular rink surface using a small rubber puck. The object of the game is to gain control over the opposing team's puck and then pass or shoot the puck into the opponent's goal, scoring points along the way. Teams consist of five players each, four forwards and one goalie. Players use their hands, sticks, elbows, knees, and skates to play the game. A player may not use his/her head or arms above the height of the shoulders.
- Hockey is a great sport that requires coordination, timing, and speed. It is a fast-paced sport, which tests both physical and mental abilities of the athlete. Playing this sport helps develop coordination skills, hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and an understanding of teamwork and sportsmanship. Furthermore, playing this sport develops self-confidence, self-discipline, leadership, and self-control. Additionally, these attributes help athletes become successful in many different fields of study later in life.
- One of the best ways to stay fit is to take regular exercise. In fact, most people know that exercising regularly is good for their physical fitness. But what they don't realize is that exercise can also have positive effects on their mental well being. Regular exercise helps improve brain function and memory, according to research published in the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience.
- Another benefit of exercising is its effect on weight management. According to some studies, obesity is associated with increased risk of cardiac disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, arthritis, cancer, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, respiratory allergies, sleep apnea, and even social phobia. Exercise reduces body fat mass and increases muscle mass. Both these changes lead to a healthier lifestyle.
- Exercise is also helpful to maintain healthy hair. According to a research conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, women who engage in moderate aerobic activity get 50% fewer breakouts than nonactive women. Regular workouts also increase blood flow to the scalp, which prevents dryness and promotes smoother looking hair.
- As mentioned earlier, hockey is a great sport for developing a variety of skills. These skills are also developed when playing hockey. For example, stick handling is a skill that involves moving the hockey stick in any direction without hitting the ball. Skating is another skill that requires agility, balance, and speed. Many hockey players spend years perfecting these skills, in order to reach the top levels of competition.
- Finally, hockey is a great way to bond with friends and family. People often find themselves spending time together while watching or participating in a hockey game. Since hockey is a competitive sport, everyone keeps score. After the final whistle blows, the crowd goes wild cheering for their favorite team. This creates a bonding experience that only a few other activities can provide.
