[Injuries and injury risk in skiing and snowboarding].
BACKGROUND
An extensive gathering of data should contribute to evaluate the risk and to reduce prejudices.


METHODS
Within 6 weeks 57 different criteria according to accident, person and circumstances from 3,512 skiers and snowboarders were gathered and collected in a database. For analysis additional data about frequency of transportation and weather and piste conditions were available.


RESULTS
Injury risk for piste sports is 0.7%. The risk is especially influenced by bad weather conditions. Young people represent a risk group. The carving technique has led to a reduction of injury risk, but caused a shift of the injury pattern. Protectors reduce the risk up to 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
Skiing and snowboarding are among the safest sports because of improved material and pistes. The new injury pattern with the carving technique is due to higher speeds in curves resulting in higher centrifugal forces; 18% of skiing accidents are collisions and 14% of all skiers do not know the FIS rules of conduct.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no increase in injury risk at the pistes in recent years. The use of protectors has a positive effect and should be supported in the future too.
Aschauer
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E
Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Landeskrankenhaus Bad Ischl, Dr. Mayer Strasse 8-10, A-4820, Bad Ischl, Austria. e.aschauer@traunseenet.at
Ritter
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E
Resch
H
H
Thoeni
H
H
Spatzenegger
H
H
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*