Investigating head impacts and their effects on youth ice hockey players
Official title: Head impact biomechanics, neurobehavioral health, and community perspectives on safety in youth ice hockey
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11132075 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how head impacts affect the health and safety of young ice hockey players aged 6 to 11, so we can make the sport safer for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $620,784 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS138389-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132075 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth ice hockey players aged 6 to 11 years, particularly those who are actively participating in the sport.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in ice hockey or are outside the age range of 6 to 11 years may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the biomechanics of head impacts in youth ice hockey players aged 6 to 11 years. It aims to assess how these impacts relate to neurobehavioral health and safety in the sport. By employing advanced measurement techniques and data analysis, the study will gather detailed information on head impact exposure and its potential consequences. The findings will help inform safety recommendations to enhance the well-being of young athletes participating in ice hockey.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety measures and protocols that protect young ice hockey players from head injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in studying head impacts in other collision sports, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stitzel, Joel Douglas — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Stitzel, Joel Douglas
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.