A 10-year study of snowboard injuries in Lapland Sweden.
Snowboard injuries in a Swedish ski area were evaluated from 1989 to 1999. All injured skiers (alpine, telemark, snowboarders) who sought medical attention at the local Medical Center within 48 h of the accident, were asked to answer an injury form. Physicians assessed and treated the injured skiers. There were a total of 1775 injured skiers; 568 injured snowboarders mean age 19 years. The female/male ratio was 34/66%, the injury rate 3/1000 skier days, three times higher than that of alpine skiers. The skill level of the injured snowboard riders improved during the period. The fall/run ratio of the beginners was higher (1.0) and their risk behavior lower (3.9 on visual analogue scale 1-10) in comparison to the advanced riders (0.4 and 6.6, respectively). Injuries were in 54% located to the upper extremity, 35% were wrist/lower arm injuries. Beginners had significantly higher frequency of lower arm/wrist injuries (46%), than average (32%) and advanced riders (20%). The most frequent single diagnosis was wrist/lower arm fracture (20%). Advanced riders tend to have more head/neck injuries than beginners, 17% vs. 13% (NS). Thus, with elevated skill level the injury pattern changed. For injury prevention, wrist guards and helmets are recommended for snowboard riders.
Made
C
C
The Tärnaby Health Center, Tärnaby, Sweden. curt.made@vll.se
Elmqvist
L-G
LG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors