title: Favourable changes of the risk-benefit ratio in alpine skiing.
abstract: During the past five decades recreational alpine skiing has become increasingly safer. The numerous annual media reports on ski injuries have to be interpreted on the basis of the tremendous numbers of skiers. These favourable changes seem primarily be due to the introduction of short carving skis, more rigid and comfortable ski boots, the use of protective gear like helmets, and the optimized preparation of ski slopes. The associated health benefits from skiing, especially arising from its association with a healthier life style, and possibly also from effects related to hypoxia preconditioning and increasing subjective vitality by natural elements clearly outweigh the health hazards. Technical improvements will likely help further reducing the injury risk. At least hypothetically, each individual skier could help to prevent injuries by the development of an appropriate physical fitness and responsible behaviour on ski slopes thereby optimizing the risk-benefit ratio of alpine skiing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. martin.burtscher@uibk.ac.at.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burtscher
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Gerhard.Ruedl@uibk.ac.at.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruedl
mesh_terms: D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D010809:Physical Fitness; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety; D012865:Skiing; D019876:Sports Equipment
keywords: alpine skiing; health benefits; injury risk