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The effectiveness of helmet wear in skiers and snowboarders: a systematic review.

Br J Sports Med. 2010 May 29;

Cusimano MD, Kwok J

Objective To summarise the best available evidence to determine the impact of helmet use on head injuries, neck injuries and cervical spine injuries in skiers and snowboarders. Data sources Relevant publications were identified through electronic searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library databases (1966-2009) in addition to manual reference checks of all included articles. Review methods 45 articles were identified through our systematic literature search. Of these, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria after two levels of screening. Two independent reviewers critically appraised the studies. Data were extracted on the primary outcomes of interest: head injury, neck injury and cervical spine injury. Studies were assessed for quality by the criteria of Downs and Black. Results Studies reviewed indicate that helmet wear reduces the risk of head injuries in skiing and snowboarding. Four case-control studies reported a reduction in the risk of head injury with helmet use ranging from 15% to 60%. Another cohort study found a significantly lower incidence of head injuries involving loss of consciousness in helmet users (p<0.05). The five remaining studies suggested a major protective effect of helmets by indicating that none or few of the head-injured and deceased participants wore a helmet. Conclusions There is strong evidence to support the protective value of helmets in reducing the risk of head injuries in skiing and snowboarding. There is no good evidence to support the claim that the use of helmets leads to an increase risk of cervical spine injuries or neck injuries.

20511622

– The effectiveness of helmet wear in skiers and snowboarders: a systematic review.

The effectiveness of helmet wear in skiers and snowboarders: a systematic review.

Br J Sports Med. 2010 May 29;

Cusimano MD, Kwok J

Objective To summarise the best available evidence to determine the impact of helmet use on head injuries, neck injuries and cervical spine injuries in skiers and snowboarders. Data sources Relevant publications were identified through electronic searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library databases (1966-2009) in addition to manual reference checks of all included articles. Review methods 45 articles were identified through our systematic literature search. Of these, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria after two levels of screening. Two independent reviewers critically appraised the studies. Data were extracted on the primary outcomes of interest: head injury, neck injury and cervical spine injury. Studies were assessed for quality by the criteria of Downs and Black. Results Studies reviewed indicate that helmet wear reduces the risk of head injuries in skiing and snowboarding. Four case-control studies reported a reduction in the risk of head injury with helmet use ranging from 15% to 60%. Another cohort study found a significantly lower incidence of head injuries involving loss of consciousness in helmet users (p<0.05). The five remaining studies suggested a major protective effect of helmets by indicating that none or few of the head-injured and deceased participants wore a helmet. Conclusions There is strong evidence to support the protective value of helmets in reducing the risk of head injuries in skiing and snowboarding. There is no good evidence to support the claim that the use of helmets leads to an increase risk of cervical spine injuries or neck injuries.

20511622

– The effectiveness of helmet wear in skiers and snowboarders: a systematic review.

Characteristics of upper extremity injuries sustained by falling during snowboarding: a study of 1918 cases.

Am J Sports Med. 2010 Jul;38(7):1468-74

Yamauchi K, Wakahara K, Fukuta M, Matsumoto K, Sumi H, Shimizu K, Miyamoto K

BACKGROUND: Little epidemiological research on characteristics of upper extremity injuries resulting from snowboarding has been conducted, particularly in relation to snowboarding stance, falling direction, and the side of the body where the injury occurs. HYPOTHESIS: Snowboarding stance and the direction of the fall may influence the frequency of the side or the location of the upper extremity injury. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: This study analyzed the information obtained from 1918 patients with fractures or dislocations of the upper extremity (excluding the fingers and scapula) sustained during snowboarding/sliding between 2000 and 2008. Diagnosis, injured part and side, stance (regular or goofy), and falling directions were prospectively analyzed. Associations among these parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS: As characterized by skill level, patients were beginners (57.9%), intermediates (38.0%), and experts (4.0%). Eighty-eight percent had not received instruction from licensed instructors. Diagnoses included wrist fractures (53.7%), upper arm fractures (16.8%), shoulder dislocations (11.5%), and elbow dislocations (9.8%). In sum, 1742 (90.8%) patients were in regular stance when they fell, whereas 176 (9.2%) were in goofy stance. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of the injured side between the 2 stances. When the injured sides were classified according to the sliding direction, wrist fractures (61.7%) occurred on the side opposite the sliding direction, whereas shoulder dislocations (65.6%), upper arm fractures (82.9%), and elbow dislocations (79.8%) occurred on the same side as the sliding direction. When the injured sides were classified according to the falling direction, wrist fractures (68.1%) and elbow dislocations (63.5%) occurred because of backward falls, and shoulder dislocations (68.9%) and upper arm fractures (60.7%) occurred because of forward falls. CONCLUSION: Two snowboarding stances as well as 2 falling directions had a significant influence on the frequency of the injured side in the upper extremity.

20522832

– Characteristics of upper extremity injuries sustained by falling during snowboarding: a study of 1918 cases.

Injuries among World Cup ski and snowboard athletes.

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010 Jun 18;

Flørenes TW, Nordsletten L, Heir S, Bahr R

There is little information available on injuries to World Cup skiers and snowboarders. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the injury risk to World Cup athletes in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, Nordic combined and cross country skiing. We performed retrospective interviews with the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup athletes from selected nations during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 winter seasons and recorded all acute injuries occurring during the seasons. We interviewed 2121 athletes and recorded 705 injuries. There were 520 (72%) time-loss injuries and 196 (28%) severe injuries (absence >28 days). In freestyle skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding, there were 27.6, 29.8 and 37.8 time-loss and 14.4, 11.3 and 13.8 severe injuries per 100 athletes per season, respectively. In Nordic combined, ski jumping and cross country skiing, there were 15.8, 13.6 and 6.3 time-loss and 3.3, 5.6 and 0.7 severe injuries per 100 athletes per season, respectively. In conclusion about 1/3 of the World Cup alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes sustain a time-loss injury each season, while the risk is low in the Nordic disciplines. A particular concern was the high proportion of severe injuries observed among alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes, which is in contrast to most other sports.

20561277

– Injuries among World Cup ski and snowboard athletes.

Upper extremity sports injury: risk factors in comparison to lower extremity injury in more than 25 000 cases.

Clin J Sport Med. 2010 Jul;20(4):256-63

Sytema R, Dekker R, Dijkstra PU, ten Duis HJ, van der Sluis CK

OBJECTIVE: To analyze differences in sports injury characteristics of the upper and lower extremity and to identify factors that contribute to the risk of sustaining an upper extremity injury compared with the risk of sustaining a lower extremity injury. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: An emergency department of a large European level I trauma center. PATIENTS: A total of 25 120 patients with a simple sports injury, attending during 1990-2005. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Independent variables used to assess risk factors were extracted from a local database. These include age, sex, type of injury, site and side of the injury, type of sport, injury mechanism, and data on admission. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measure was the relation of various risk factors to the occurrence of either upper or lower extremity injury. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for upper extremity injury. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent upper and 53% lower extremity injuries were recorded. Most injuries were sustained when playing soccer (36%). Fractures were more frequently diagnosed in the upper than in the lower extremities (44% and 14%, respectively), especially in children. Falling was the main cause of upper extremity injury. Further risk factors were young age and playing individual sports, no-contact sports, or no-ball sports. Women were at risk in speed skating, inline skating, and basketball, whereas men mostly got injured during skiing and snowboarding. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of sports injuries are sustained to the upper extremity. Different risk factors were identified for both sexes. These risk factors should be taken into account when designing preventive measures.

20606510

– Upper extremity sports injury: risk factors in comparison to lower extremity injury in more than 25 000 cases.

Networking among women snowboarders: a study of participants at an International Woman Snowboard Camp.

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010 Jun 18;

Sisjord MK

The article focuses on women snowboarders’ networking and relationships with national snowboard associations and commercial organizers. The study was conducted at an International Women Snowboard Camp, which attracted women snowboarders from five different countries. A qualitative interview was undertaken with participants from each country, eight in total, plus an interview with one of the organizers (a woman). The results indicate that participants from the Nordic countries adopt a more proactive stand to promote snowboarding by organizing specific groups in relation to national associations, particularly the Norwegians and the Finnish. Furthermore, some collaboration across national boarders appeared. The only Swedish participant was associated with several snowboarding communities; whereas the Italian (only one) and the Latvian snowboarders had links with commercial organizers, apparently male dominated in structure. The findings are discussed in the light of Castells’ network theory and identity construction in social movements, and gender perspectives. The participants’ doing/undoing gender reveals different strategies in negotiating hegemonic masculinity and the power structure in the organizations. Narratives from the Nordic participants reflect undoing gender that impacts on identity constructions in terms of project and/or resistance identity. The Italians and Latvians seemingly do gender while undertaking a subordinate position in the male-dominated structure.

20561284

– Networking among women snowboarders: a study of participants at an International Woman Snowboard Camp.

The Lake Tahoe Prosperity Plan is a collaboration among area leaders that aims to make the area — two states, five counties, 3,000 businesses, one incorporated city and numerous residential area…

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Economists say health and wellness is one leg

Chance fracture of the lumbar spine in an amateur snowboarder: a case report.

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2010 Jun;50(2):214-6

Hakozaki M, Otani K, Kikuchi S, Konno S

Chance fracture is an unusual type of spinal fracture caused by flexion-distraction of the back. We describe herein a rare case of a male amateur snowboarder who suffered lumbar Chance fracture caused by a fall after freestyle jumping. Radiological findings of plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a loss of vertebral height in the anterior L1 vertebral body with a horizontal splitting fracture extending across the vertebral body, bilateral pedicles, and lamina. On the basis of the aforementioned findings, the diagnosis of Chance fracture of the L1 vertebra was established. The fracture healed without any subsequent disabilities following conservative medical management with a thoracolumbar orthosis, and no impairments to activities of daily living were encountered, including job or sports performance. Although Chance fracture caused by a fall is rare, particularly in sports, the possibility of this fracture should be considered when diagnosing spinal injuries in snowboarders.

20585301

– Chance fracture of the lumbar spine in an amateur snowboarder: a case report.

Chance fracture of the lumbar spine in an amateur snowboarder: a case report.

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2010 Jun;50(2):214-6

Hakozaki M, Otani K, Kikuchi S, Konno S

Chance fracture is an unusual type of spinal fracture caused by flexion-distraction of the back. We describe herein a rare case of a male amateur snowboarder who suffered lumbar Chance fracture caused by a fall after freestyle jumping. Radiological findings of plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a loss of vertebral height in the anterior L1 vertebral body with a horizontal splitting fracture extending across the vertebral body, bilateral pedicles, and lamina. On the basis of the aforementioned findings, the diagnosis of Chance fracture of the L1 vertebra was established. The fracture healed without any subsequent disabilities following conservative medical management with a thoracolumbar orthosis, and no impairments to activities of daily living were encountered, including job or sports performance. Although Chance fracture caused by a fall is rare, particularly in sports, the possibility of this fracture should be considered when diagnosing spinal injuries in snowboarders.

20585301

– Chance fracture of the lumbar spine in an amateur snowboarder: a case report.

Are current back protectors suitable to prevent spinal injury in recreational snowboarders?

Br J Sports Med. 2010 Jul 20;

Schmitt KU, Liechti B, Michel FI, Stämpfli R, Brühwiler PA

Objective Back protectors for snowboarders were analysed with respect to their potential to prevent spinal injury. Design In 20 Swiss skiing resorts, athletes were interviewed on the slope. In addition, an online survey was conducted. The performance of 12 commercially available back protectors was investigated by means of mechanical testing. A currently used drop test according to standard EN1621 (motorcycle protectors), testing energy damping was supplemented by penetration tests according to standard EN1077, which reflects snowsport safety concerns. Results 6 out of 12 back protectors fulfilled the higher safety level defined in EN1621. Protectors making use of energy-absorbing layers performed particularly well. In contrast, hard shell protectors exhibited a higher potential to withstand the penetration test. The surveys confirmed that approximately 40-50% of snowboarders use a back protector. A large majority of users expect protection from severe spinal injury such as vertebral fractures or spinal cord injury. Conclusions The currently used test standards are fulfilled by many back protectors. Users, however, expect protectors to be efficient in impact scenarios that result in spinal injury, which are more severe than impacts as addressed in the current standards. This study highlights that there is a mismatch between the capabilities of current back protectors to prevent spinal injury in snowboarding and the expectations users have of these protectors.

20647300

- Are current back protectors suitable to prevent spinal injury in recreational snowboarders?