The Role of Video Analysis in Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation in Hockey

Ian Smith
May 9
3 min read

Hockey demands speed, agility, and resilience, but even the best athletes face the risk of impact and overuse injuries. At Kellian Hockey in Vermont, we’re proud to offer a video analysis service that helps players spot risky movement patterns and optimize their recovery from injury. In this article, you’ll discover how video analysis uncovers hidden biomechanical faults, guides targeted rehabilitation exercises, and supports long‑term player safety and performance.

How Video Analysis Identifies Risk Patterns

Biomechanical Assessment of Skating Stride

By slowing down game footage, coaches can examine every phase of the skating stride from push‑off to glide to detect asymmetries or joint misalignments that may lead to groin strains or knee sprains. Studies show that comparing left and right leg angles at key moments can predict areas under excessive load, helping prevent future injuries.

Concussion Monitoring and Impact Review

In the National Hockey League, video analysis of concussive events revealed that player‑to‑player collisions account for nearly 90% of head injuries, with shoulder‑to‑head impacts most common. Multi‑camera setups in youth hockey have further quantified the frequency and causes of head impacts, enabling coaches to teach players how to anticipate contact and protect their heads during collisions.

Equipment Evaluation

Integrating video analysis with high‑speed cameras helps trainers verify that helmets, pads, and skates perform as intended under game conditions. By analyzing footage frame by frame, equipment managers can recommend gear adjustments or upgrades that reduce injurious forces.

Integrating Video Analysis into Rehabilitation

Movement Correction Drills

Once risk patterns are identified, physical therapists use video analysis clips to show athletes how to adjust their posture, stride length, or stick‑handling position. Visual feedback helps players internalize new movement cues more rapidly than verbal coaching alone.

Progress Tracking Over Time

Rehabilitation is a process of gradual improvement. By capturing baseline footage and comparing it to follow‑up recordings, therapists can quantify gains in joint range of motion, strength, and on‑ice agility. This objective evidence supports data‑driven decisions on when a player can safely return to full competition.

Customized YouTube Feedback

Kellian Hockey compiles key 30‑second clips into a private YouTube video, overlaying on‑screen diagrams to highlight joint angles and impact points. Athletes receive clear, actionable insights right on their devices so they can review exercises anytime and reinforce proper technique.

The Science Behind Video‑Based Injury Prevention

Expert Insights from Dr. Michael Stuart

Dr. Michael Stuart of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center has led landmark studies on hockey head injuries and spearheaded the “Heads Up, Don’t Duck” program, which used video analysis to teach players to keep their heads high before board contact, reducing cervical fractures. His work underscores how targeted visual education can change on‑ice behavior and lower injury rates.

Key Research Findings

Field Hockey Study: Slow‑motion review matched injury incidence to previous reports, suggesting that adding video analysis to injury logs enhances data accuracy and prevention strategies.
ACL Injury Mechanisms: Video reviews of male hockey players identified common situational patterns leading to ACL tears, such as pivoting on a planted foot without hip alignment insights, now used to refine off‑ice conditioning programs.
Youth Impact Analysis: Comparing football and ice hockey impacts showed that hockey players experienced lower frequency and magnitude of head impacts, but video analysis remains crucial for monitoring tackles and body checks in youth leagues.

Benefits of Slow‑Motion and Motion Capture

Advanced motion‑capture systems complement video analysis by collecting precise kinematic data motion paths, joint angles, and velocities, which, when synchronized with game footage, allow for a full 3D reconstruction of risky maneuvers.

Implementing a Video Analysis Program

Equipment Setup

Install multi-angle cameras or link directly to LiveBarn feeds.
Calibrate cameras for accurate frame‑rate and scaling.

Session Recording

Capture full games or training drills.
Ensure consistent camera placement for reliable comparison.

Clip Selection

Review footage to mark critical events, impacts, near misses, and movement errors.
Isolate 30‑second segments for in‑depth review.

Feedback Delivery

Annotate clips with on‑screen diagrams and voice‑over commentary.
Share private YouTube links or integrate into player portals.

Follow‑Up Analysis

Reassess after corrective training sessions.
Track metrics such as stride symmetry, head position, and joint flexion.

Conclusion

Video analysis bridges the gap between observing injuries and preventing them, giving players, coaches, and clinicians clear, actionable insights. From identifying collision patterns to guiding targeted rehabilitation, this approach is reshaping how hockey athletes stay safe and recover. Ready to give your game a visual edge?

Contact Kellian Hockey today to schedule your first video analysis session in Vermont. Share your thoughts in the comments, or book now to start improving your on‑ice safety and performance!