Blaine Hoshizaki

Blaine Hoshizaki is director of the Neurotrauma Impact Science Laboratory at the University of Ottawa. He is an internationally recognized scientist in head and brain injury. 

Over the past 25 years, Dr. Hoshizaki has developed a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between head impact mechanics and neurological outcomes and damage. He has 171 refereed scientific publications, has given over 290 scientific presentations and holds 22 product patents.  He has applied scientific discovery to product development in VP roles for CCM Hockey and Bauer Hockey. He consulted for the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, and in 2011, was named as one of the top 50 most influential people in sport by the Globe and Mail. 

In the United States Senate committee hearings on concussions and the marketing of sports equipment, (112th Congress), Hoshizaki was described as an expert scientist and biomechanical engineer who had published excellent work regarding helmet performance and the mechanics of head injury.  

Hoshizaki’s engineering and design teams have developed helmets for a multitude of sports, including ice hockey, cycling, snowmobile, lacrosse, equestrian and football, as well as motorcycle helmets.  Hoshizaki has chaired the ISO Committee for Ice Hockey Product Certification, as well as serving as a member of NOCSAE, ASTM and CSA helmet safety committees. 

With 25 years of head injury research and business development experience, Hoshizaki sees an opportunity to make a large-scale impact on risk mitigation through monitoring and managing head trauma accurately and accessibly.

Professor Hoshizaki is accepting new students for thesis supervision.

Neurotrauma Impact Science Laboratory 

Vision: Head and brain injuries will become a rare and inconsequential part of athletic and leisure activities.

Mission: Undertake research that contributes in a meaningful way to decreasing all types of head injury in sport.

1. Undertake research to better understand the relationship between brain trauma and brain injury.
2. Undertake research that provides an understanding of how brain injuries occur to support educational programs to decrease injury in sport.
3. Undertake research designed to improve the effectiveness of brain injury prevention strategies.

Complete publications: ResearchGate

Papers in refereed journals (2020/19)

• Robidoux M, Kendall M, Laflamme Y, Post A, Karton C, Hoshizaki TB. Comparing Concussion Rates as Reported by Hockey Canada with Head Contact Events as Observed Across Minor Ice-Hockey Age Categories, 2020. Concussion In Press.  
• LE McMunn, TB Hoshizaki, M Robidoux, MD Gilchrist, C Karton, and A Post. Brain trauma profile comparison of midget and junior ice hockey players to inform safety and policy. ASTM International Journal, On Safety in Ice Hockey, 2020. In press
• Degrau Santiago A. Meehan, L. Champoux, T.B. Hoshizaki, M. Gilchrist, C.Karton, "Protective capacity of ice hockey helmets at different levels of striking compliance" Sports Engineering, 2020 In Press.
• Post A., L. Dawson, T.B. Hoshizaki, M. Gilchrist and M. Cusimano, “Development of a test method for adult ice hockey helmet evaluation” Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, April 2020, doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2020
• Koncan D., M. Gilchrist, M. Vassilyadi & T.B. Hoshizaki “Simulated brain strains resulting from falls differ between concussive events of young children and adults” Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering 2020
• Clark M., T.B. Hoshizaki, A N. Annaidh and M. Gilchrist “Equestrian Helmet Standards: Do they Represent Real-World Accident Conditions?”, Annals of Biomechanical Engineering, 2020
• Kendall, Marshall; Oeur, R; Brien, Susan; Cusimano, Michael; Marshall, Shawn; Gilchrist, Michael; Hoshizaki, T Blaine, "Accident Reconstructions of Falls, Collisions, and Punches in Sport." Concussion 2020
• Chen W, Post A, Karton C, Robidoux M, Gilchrist M, Hoshizaki TB. 2020. A comparison of frequency and magnitude of head impacts between pee wee and bantam youth ice hockey. Sports Biomechanics. Accepted
• Taylor, K, Gischrist MD, Hoshizaki TB. 2020. “Evaluating the influence of the American football helmet on directional components of dynamic response and the magnitude of maximum principal strain.” Computer Methods in Biomechanical and Biomedical Engineering. In Press.
• Karton C, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD. “A novel repetitive head impact exposure measurement tool differentiates player position in National Football League.” Scientific Reports. 10:1200, 2020.
• Oeur Rachanna Anna, M Gilchrist and T.B. Hoshizaki “Parametric Study of Impact Parameters on Peak Head Acceleration and Strain for Collision Impacts in Sport” International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2019 doi: 10.1080/13588265.2019.1634336
• Dawson L, Koncan D, Post A, Zemek R, Gilchrist MD, Marshall S, Hoshizaki TB. “Biomechanical Comparison of Real-World Concussive Impacts in Children, Adolescents and Adults.” J Biomechanical Engineering, 2019. doi:10.1115/1.4045808.
• Clark JM, Adanty K, Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Clissold J, McGoldrick A, Hill J, Annaidh AN, Gilchrist MD. “Proposed injury thresholds for concussion in equestrian sports.” J Science and Medicine in Sport, 2019. doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2019.10.006
• De Grau, S, Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD. “Effects of surface compliance on the dynamic response and strains sustained by a player’s helmeted head during ice hockey impacts. J Sports Engineering and Technology, 1-9, 2019. doi.org/10.1177/1754337119871866.
• Clark JM, Connor TA, Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Annaidh AN, Gilchrist MD. “Could a Compliant Foam Anvil Characterise the Biofidelic Impact Response of Equestrian Helmets?” J Biomechanical Engineering, 2019. In Press. doi:10.1115/1.4045403.
• Rochefort C, Cournoyer J, Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Zemek R, Sveistrup H. “Brain tissue strain and balance impairments in children following a concussion: An exploratory study.” Journal of Concussion, 3: 1-11, 2019.
• Post A, Hashim E, Kwan-Chun Ting W, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD, Cusimano MD. “A preliminary analysis of biomechanics and saccadic response for concussion.” TRAUMA, In Press. 2019. DOI: 10.1177/1460408619861026.
• Cournoyer J & Hoshizaki TB. “Abnormal Motor Response Associated With Concussive Injuries: Biomechanical Comparison Between Impact Seizures and Loss of Consciousness.” Journal of Athletic Training, 54(7) 765-771, 2019.
• Taylor K, Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD (2019). “The effect of a novel impact management strategy on maximum principal strain for reconstructions of American football concussive events.” Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 233(4): 503-513, 2019.
• Taylor K, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD. “The influence of impact force redistribution and redirection on maximum principal strain for helmeted impacts.” Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 22(13): 1047-1060, 2019.
• Clark JM, Connor TA, Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD. “The influence of impact surface on head kinematics and brain tissue response during impacts with equestrian helmets.” Sports Biomechanics, 2019. In Press. DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2019.1599062.
• Adanty K, Clark JM, Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD. “Comparing Two Proposed Protocols to Test the Oblique Response of Cycling Helmets to Fall Impacts.” International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2019. In Press.
• Post A, Taylor K, Hoshizaki TB, Brien S, Cusimano MD, Marshall MD. “A biomechanical analysis of traumatic brain injury for slips and falls from height.” TRAUMA, 21(1), 27-34, 2019.
• Cournoyer J & Hoshizaki TB. “Head dynamic response and brain tissue deformation for boxing punches with and without a loss of consciousness.” Clinical Biomechanics, 67: 96-101, 2019.
• Cournoyer J & Hoshizaki TB. “Biomechanical comparison of concussions with and without a loss of consciousness in elite American football: implications for prevention.” Sports Biomechanics, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2019.1600004.
• Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Karton C, Clark JM, Dawson L, Cournoyer J, Taylor K, Oeur RA, Gilchrist MD & Cusimano MD. “The biomechanics of concussion for ice hockey.” Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 22(6): 631-643, 2019.
• Post A, Dawson L, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD, Cusimano M. “The influence of impact source on variables associated with strain for impacts in ice hockey.” DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2019. 1588255.
• Koncan D, Gilchrist M, Vassilyadi M, Hoshizaki TB. “A three-dimensional finite element model of a 6-year-old child for simulating brain response from physical reconstructions of head impacts.” Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 233(2): 277-291, 2019.
• Oeur RA, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD. “Interaction of External Head Impact Parameters on Region and Volume of Strain for Collisions in Sport.” Journal of Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 22(7): 713- 726, 2019.
• Yeates KO, Tang K, Barrowman N, Freedman SB, Gravel J, Gagnon I, Sangha G, Boutis K, Beer D, Craig W, Burns E, Farion KJ, Mikrogianakis A, Barlow K, Dubrovsky AS, Meeuwisse W, Gioia G, Meehan WP, Beauchamp MH, Kamil Y, Grool AM, Hoshizaki B, Anderson P, Brooks BL, Vassilyadi M, Klassen T, Keightley M, Richer L, DeMatteo C, & Osmond MH, & Zemek R, for the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) Predicting Persistent
• Postconcussive Problems in Pediatrics (5P) concussion team. “Derivation and initial validation of clinical phenotypes of children presenting with concussion acutely in the Emergency Department: Latent class analysis of a multicentre, prospective cohort, observational study.” Journal of Neurotrauma, 36(11): 1758- 1767, 2019.

Selected publications

• Hoshizaki TB, Karton C, Oeur RA, Kendall M, Dawson L & Post A. “An examination of the current National Operating Committee on Standards for athletic Equipment system and a new pneumatic ram method for evaluating American football helmet performance to reduce risk of concussion.” Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology. 2016, DOI: 10.1177/1754337116633376.
• Zemek R, Barrowman N, Freedman SB, Gravel J, Gagnon I, McGahern C, Aglipay M, Sangha G, Boutis K, Beer D, Craig W, Burns E, Farion KJ, Mikrogianakis A, Barlow K, Dubrovsky AS, Meeuwisse W, Gioia G, Meehan III WP, Beauchamp MH, Kamil Y, Grool AM, Hoshizaki B, Anderson P. Brooks BL, Yeates KO, Vassilyadi M, Klassen T, Keightley M, Richer L, DeMatteo C, Osmond MH. “Clinical risk score for persistent postconcussion symptoms among children with acute concussion in the ED.” JAMA. 2016, 315(10), 1014-1025.
• Post A, Karton C*, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD, Bailes J. “Evaluation of the protective capacity of baseball helmets for concussive impacts” Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. 2016, 19(4), 366-375. doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2015.1029921.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author; *graduate student
• Post A, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD, Brien S, Cusimano MD, Marshall S. “The dynamic response characteristics of traumatic brain injury.” Analysis and Prevention. 79, 33-40, 2015.Author Contribution: Co-Author
• Rousseau, P*., & Hoshizaki, T. B. “Defining the effective impact mass of elbow and shoulder strikes in ice hockey.” Sports Biomechanics. 2015. 14(1), 57-67.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author; *graduate student
• Post A, Hoshizaki TB. “Rotational acceleration, brain tissue strain, and the relationship to concussion.” Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. 2015, 137(3), 030801-1-030801-9. doi: 10.1115/1.4028983.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author
• Oeur R.A.*, Karton C.*, Post A, Rousseau P*, Hoshizaki TB, Marshall S, Brien S, Smith A, Cusimano MD, Gilchrist MD. “A comparison of the head dynamic response and brain tissue stress and strain using accident reconstructions for concussion, concussion with persistent post-concussive symptoms, and subdural hematoma.” Journal of Neurosurgery, 123, 415-422, 2015.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author; *graduate student
• Post, A., Hoshizaki, T.B., Gilchrist, M.D., Brien, S., Cusimano, M. & Marshall, S. “Traumatic Brain Injuries: The influence of the direction of impact.” Neurosurgery, 76(1), 81-91, 2015.Author Contribution: Co-Author
• Post, A., Kendall, M.*, Koncan, D.*, Cournoyer, J.*, Hoshizaki, T.B., Gilchrist, M.D., Brien, S., Cusimano, M. & Marshall, S. “Characterization of Persistent Concussion Syndrome through injury reconstruction and Finite Element Modelling.” Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials: Special issue on TBI, 41, 325-335, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.07.034.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author;*graduate student
• Hoshizaki, T.B., Post, A., Oeur, R.A.* & Brien, S.E. “Current and future concepts in helmet and sports injury prevention.” Neurosurgery: Sports Concussion Supplement, 2014. 75(4), S136-S148.
  Author Contribution: Lead Author; *graduate student
• Post A., Hoshizaki T.B. and Gilchrist M.D., “Comparison of MADYMO and physical models for brain injury reconstruction”, International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2014. doi: 10.1080/13588265.2014.897413.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author
• Post A., Hoshizaki T.B., Gilchrist M.D., Brien S. Cusimano M. and Marshall S., “The influence of acceleration loading curve characteristics on traumatic brain injury”, Journal of Biomechanics, 47(5), 1074-1081, 2014. doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.12.026.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author; *graduate student
• Hoshizaki T.B., Post A., Kendall M.*, Karton C. and Brien S., “The relationship between head impact and brain trauma”, Special issue of the Journal of Neurology & Neurophysiology: Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis & Treatment, 5, 181, 2013.
  Author Contribution: Lead Author
• Karton C.*, Rousseau P.*, Vassilyadi M. and Hoshizaki T.B., “The evaluation of speed skating helmet performance through peak linear and rotational accelerations”, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48, 46-50, 2013. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091583
  Author Contribution: Co-Author; *graduate student
• Wright R, Post A.*, Hoshizaki T.B. and Ramesh K.T., “A multiscale computational approach to estimating axonal damage under inertial loading of the head”, Journal of Neurotrauma, 30(2), 102-118, 2013. doi:10.1089/neu.2012.2418
  Author Contribution: Co-Author;*graduate student
• Post A.* and Hoshizaki T.B., "Mechanisms of brain impact injuries and their prediction: A review”, Trauma, 14(4), 327-349, 2012.  doi:10.1177/1460408612446573
  Author Contribution: Co-Author; *graduate student
• Post A.*, Hoshizaki T.B. and Gilchrist M., "Finite element analysis of the effect of loading curve shape on brain injury predictors", Journal of Biomechanics, 45(4), 679-683, 2012.
  Author Contribution: Co-Author; * graduate student
• Hoshizaki T.B. Vassilyadi M., Post A.* and Oeur A.*, "Performance analysis of winter activity protection headgear for young children", Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics, 9 (2), 133-138, 2012.
  Author Contribution: Lead Author; * graduate student
• Walsh E.S.*, Rousseau P.* and Hoshizaki T.B., "The influence of impact location and angle on the dynamic impact response of a Hybrid III headform", Sports Engineering, 13(3), 135 – 143, 2011. doi: 10.1007/s12283-011-0060-9.
  Author Contribution: Co – Author; *graduate student
• Rousseau P.*, Hoshizaki T.B., Gilchrist M.D. and Post A.*, "Estimating the influence of neckform compliance on brain tissue strain during a helmeted impact", Stapp Car Crash Journal, 54, 12 pages, 2010.
  Author Contribution: Co – Author;* graduate student

Conferences and publications

• Hoshizaki T.B. & Oeur RA.  (Invited speaker) “The Relationship between Impact Characteristics and Brain Tissue Strain Distributions”, Traumatic Brain Injury: Clinical, Pathological and Translational Mechanisms Santa Fe NM, USA Jan 24 – 27, 2016.
• Hoshizaki T.B. (Invited speaker) “Measuring Head Motions in Sports Angular Head Motions: their importance and measurement”, IRCOBI Lyon France, Sept 6 – 10, 2015.
• Hoshizaki T.B. (Invited speaker) “Frontiers of Biomechanics/Monitoring Concussions Sports Concussion Conference” – AAN Denver Colorado July 24-26, 2015.
• Hoshizaki T.B. (Invited speaker) “Measuring the biomechanical effects during concussion”, National Meeting of Neuropsychology Society USA, April 30, 2015, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
• Hoshizaki T.B. (Invited speaker) “Mechanics of Head Injuries in Sport and Energy Management Characteristics of Helmet Technologies”. Sport Science Conference, January 15 – 16, 2015, London England
• Hoshizaki T.B. (Invited speaker) “Recommendations for a centric and Non-centric impact striker for American Football Helmet testing: NOCSAE.” Boston US. 2014 June 20.
• Hoshizaki TB, (Invited speaker) “Determining Forces to Head and Brain – PROs and CONS of Reconstruction”, October 2013, Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic 2nd Ice Hockey Summit II: Action on Concussions.
• Post A, Kendall M, Cournoyer J, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD, Brien S, Cusimano MD, Marshall S. (2015). A biomechanical comparison of focal traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussive syndrome. 25th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Glasgow, UK, July 12-16.
• Post A, Kendall M, Cournoyer J, Hoshizaki TB, Gilchrist MD, Brien S, Cusimano MD, Marshall S. (2015). A biomechanical comparison of focal traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussive syndrome. 25th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Glasgow, UK, July 12-16.
• Zanetti, K.A., Hoshizaki, T.B. & Gilchrist, M.D. (2014). The association between peak resultant linear acceleration and brain tissue deformation in American football-related head impacts. 7th World Congress of Biomechanics, July 6-11, Boston MA.