Ice hockey is a sport known for its speed and skill. However, its intensely physical nature is associated with the potential risk of injury, which has become a major public controversy in Canada (Cusimano, Sharma, Lawrence, et al., 2013; Emery et al., 2010). Epidemiological research has adequately documented the frequency and severity of injury (King & LeBlanc, 2006; Yard & Comstock, 2006). Yet, because of methodological limitations and the lack of systematic and mandatory injury prevention strategies implemented nationwide, injuries remain high (Cusimano, Nastis, & Zuccaro, 2013; Emery et al, 2010). An alternative methodology, combined with broadening injury definitions can provide a more detailed assessment of the risks of, and circumstances, around injury. A methodology, based primarily on observational techniques, was utilized to examine injury in body checking hockey when it is first introduced to youth players. Injury was defined as ‘any physical trauma that has occurred as a result of participation in an organized competition’ including four categories of injury severity. In a comparison of Ontario Peewee (ages 11-12) with Québec Bantam (ages 13-14) boys hockey, no significant differences were found in overall injury (χ2: 0.22; p:0.64), however, there were significant differences in frequency of body checking related injury; 76% versus 59% (χ2:4.76; p:0.03). The odds of being injured due to body checking are 2.158 times higher in Peewee (βex 2.158; 95%CI: 1.07-4.34; p:0.03) indicating no increased risk of injury when body checking is introduced later while delaying introduction reduces the frequency of body checking related injury. Ongoing public debate in Canada concerning safety in youth hockey is understood through the theoretical lens of discourse (Foucault, 1972, 1990). The dominant discourse in Canada around hockey is based in a traditional, physically dominant model, where intense physical contact is not only inevitable but desirable. The reverse discourse prioritizes the safety of participants over the potential of lessening the intense physicality of the Canadian style of play. These competing discourses create tension and ambivalence amongst safety advocates and conservative hockey practitioners and enthusiasts. The emotionality of hockey stakeholders often overwhelms logic regarding safety decisions, ultimately impacting progressive injury prevention initiatives.

The importance of mental skills training (MST) is emphasized by previous/available research findings which show that by combining MST with physical training it enhances players’ ability to cope with the demands of the sport and subsequently results in better sport performance. The main aims of the present study (presented in two articles which can be read independently) were twofold. The first was to determine field hockey players’ perceived need for MST, and their perception regarding their ability to prepare psychologically for matches, as well as compile a general profile of their psychological skill for the total group and by gender. The second aim of the study was to determine the possible positional differences in mental skill levels among 91 South African tertiary institutions’ male field hockey. A total of one hundred and ninety seven (91 males and 106 females) South African field hockey players who competed in the 2008 University Sport of South Africa tournament participated in the study. The participants completed the Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI) and the Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool–3 (OMSAT–3) questionnaires. The results from Article 1 showed significant gender differences from the Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI) according to which the males outperformed the females in the skills of concentration, activation and activation control. In addition, significant gender differences were observed for mental skills training (MST) measures for goal–setting and commitment in which the females outperformed the males, whilst the males fared better than the females in stress reaction. The hockey players perceived MST as important to enhance performance in field hockey. The players furthermore perceived their ability to prepare psychologically for matches as good, which contradicts the results from the questionnaires as the players showed poor mean scores for five of the six subscales of the PSI questionnaire. The results from article 2 showed that the goalkeepers had the lowest scores for seven of the 12 tested skills, whereas midfielders outperformed the other positions in six of the 12 subscales. It is clear from these results that MST is important for field hockey and therefore warrants the attention of all role players in field hockey. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Sport Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This research has investigated the behaviour of synthetic turf pitches for field hockey. A combination of mechanical and perceived data collection methods were used to provide an increased understanding of pitch behaviour. A methodology was developed to elicit perceptions from elite field hockey players. Part of the method was an inductive analysis of players responses during a participant led interview. This enabled the development of a 'structured relationship model' which Illustrated five general dimensions. Each general dimension was part of a hierarchical structure formed from base themes via players responses. Based on characteristics identified in the 'structured relationship model' a questionnaire was designed to quantify the Importance and preferences of certain playing characteristics for elite field hockey players. It was found that players thought 'surface consistency' and 'the ability to demonstrate deft skills' as the most Important surface characteristics it was also identified that given a choice the majority of players would like to play on a fast, low bouncing surface conducive to deft stickwork with 'high' underfoot grip, no ball spin and with a moderate hardness Monitoring during the construction of a world class water-based synthetic turf hockey pitch has shown the influence each layer on the overall pitch system. Novel equipment to the sports Industry was used to evaluate each layer during construction and a large amount of variability was identified across the pitch. it was identified that if the subgrade had a weak area of low stiffness then the subsequent layers above were also vulnerable to low measurements. This highlighted the Importance of quality control during construction A laboratory investigation using a combination of shockpad and carpet samples identified the Influence different systems had on the playing surface. During the investigation testing was conducted on the laboratory floor and in a prepared box constructed to Simulate a 'typical' pitch. it was identified that the layers below the shockpad had little Influence on the measurements. Conditions were monitored and it was identified the Importance water has on the behaviour of the surface lt was found to significantly reduce ball rebound height and rotational traction A series of site investigations using mechanical tests has shown the variability between pitches even at elite standard Six pitches were evaluated and a range of results were obtained and compared with the requirements from the international governing body for field hockey. A correlation between the artificial athlete Berlin and 2.25 kg Clegg impact hammer demonstrated that the Clegg hammer could be a valuable tool for surface assessment. A comparison of players perceptions and the mechanical measurements of six pitches were evaluated. lt was found that the perceived behaviour of ball rebound, underfoot traction and surface hardness correlated well with measured data. However, it was shown that players perceptions of surface pace did not correspond to measurements of ball roll distance. The three main sections of work comprising site data collection, laboratory testing and elicitation of players perceptions have been used together to provide a much greater understanding of the behaviour of synthetic turf pitches for field hockey.

Sporting celebrities have come to hold an increasingly vaunted position within contemporary society and as such, receive ever-increasing media attention. Within Canadian culture, where the sport of hockey is largely considered a mythologized component of identity, hockey players such as the National Hockey Leagues Sidney Crosby are not only frequently represented in the daily media, but are also utilized in promotional and advertising campaigns. In this thesis, I qualitatively analyze media representations and the production of advertising featuring Sidney Crosby. Specifically, I examine the specific case of producing televised advertising campaigns featuring Crosby for sports drink manufacturer Gatorade. I also interrogate the tensions and ambiguities of contemporary conceptualizations of masculinity evidenced in media discourse surrounding Crosby. Ultimately, this study examines how sporting celebrities and discourses of corporate nationalism are produced within contemporary advertising campaigns and the role that cultural intermediaries play in the promotion of particular values and perceptions.

Thèse (M.A.)--Université Laval, 2006. / Bibliogr.: f. 88-90. Publié aussi en version électronique dans la Collection Mémoires et thèses électroniques.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 408-417).

Thesis (M.S.)--South Dakota State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-72). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--South Dakota State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-72).

This quantitative study was done within the research field of sports pedagogy, and in cooperation with the Swedish Ice Hockey Association (SIHA). The study was about the parents of young hockey players, and it focused on the parents' sporting backgrounds as well as their commitment to and interest in ice hockey. Data was collected with the help of a questionnaire (n=134) among 5 ice hockey clubs in the north of Sweden. The results show that the majority of the parents did not have a background in ice hockey themselves, and those who had such a background were all male. The results also show other differences between female and male parents in terms of commitment to and interest in ice hockey. There were also results that showed a relationship between the parents’ educational background and their levels of commitment to ice hockey. The study also contains a discussion about its possible contribution regarding knowledge about the parents of young hockey players and suggestions for future research.

Syftet med föreliggande studie var att utforma en reklamkampanj för att få fler tjejer att börja spela ishockey. I studien undersöktes hur en reklamkampanj kan utformas samt i vilka kanaler den bör marknadsföras för att nå tjejer i åldrarna 12–20 år. Genom en webbenkätundersökning skapades en förståelse för vilken uppfattning ishockeyspelare hade om ishockey. Resultatet från enkätundersökningen låg till grund för utformningen av kampanjidén. Genom research om målgruppen och nulägesanalys över grafiskt material inom ishockey framkom vilka kampanjenheter samt designelement som kunde användas vid utformningen av kampanjen. Arbetet baserades på Sless sjustegsmodell för informationsdesign. Resultatet av undersökningen blev en steg-för-steg-process vid skapandet av en reklamkampanj. Dessutom resulterade undersökningen i en färdig reklamkampanj för att rekrytera fler tjejer till ishockeyn i Falun. Respondenternas svar visade på att kampanjmaterialet i stor utsträckning passade bra för att locka tjejer till ishockeyn. / The purpose of the study was to design an advertising campaign to get more girls to start playing ice hockey. The study investigated how an advertising campaign could be designed and what channels it should be marketed in to reach girls aged 12–20 years. A survey was conducted to understand what ice hockey players thought about ice hockey. The result of the survey was the basis for the campaign idea. A research on the target group and a visual content analysis was performed to get knowledge of which campaign units and design elements that could be used in designing the campaign. The advertising campaign was made after Sless’ model measuring information design. The result of the study was a step-by-step process in the creation of an advertising campaign. The study also resulted in a complete advertising campaign to recruit more girls to play ice hockey in Falun. The respondents’ answers showed that the campaign material largely suited to attract girls to start playing ice hockey.