Skill level-specific differences in snowboarding-related injuries.
BACKGROUND
Snowboarding-related injuries have been associated with specific snowboarding skill levels, but differences in specific skill level have not been identified.


OBJECTIVE
Injury patterns are different among skill levels.


METHODS
Descriptive epidemiology study.


METHODS
The subjects were 19 539 snowboarders from the Oku-Mino region in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, who were admitted to our hospital during the 12 snowboarding seasons from 1996 to 2008. They were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding age, gender, self-estimated skill level, injury location, injury type, mechanism of injury, and protective gear. Physicians documented diagnostic variables and injury severity score; these variables were compared among the self-estimated skill levels.


RESULTS
Of the total 19 539 injured snowboarders, 1204 (6.2%) were novices, 6409 (32.8%) were beginners, 9260 (47.4%) were intermediates, 1918 (9.8%) were experts, and the skill level was not known in 748 (3.8%). Proportions of the trunk and multiple injuries increased with increases in skill level; however, the number of head/face injuries decreased with increase in skill level. Upper extremity injuries also decreased with increase in skill level, except in novices. Dislocations and multiple injuries increased with increase in skill level, while lacerations/contusions, fractures, and bruises decreased. The mean overall injury severity score was 3.28 + or - 0.02, and the value increased significantly with increase in skill level. The proportion of collision and isolated fall injuries significantly decreased with increase in skill level, but that of jump injuries significantly increased. The percentage of protective gear use increased with the increase in skill level.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of injury type, injury location, mechanism of injury, and percentage of protective gear use varied according to skill level, and the severity of the injury increased with increase in skill level. On the basis of our observations, we believe that snowboarding injury prevention strategies should be formulated according to skill level.
Ogawa
Hiroyasu
H
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University, Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194 Japan. h-ogawa@k7.dion.ne.jp
Sumi
Hiroshi
H
Sumi
Yasuhiko
Y
Shimizu
Katsuji
K
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult