title: [Causes of Accidents and Risk Factors Among Adults During Recreational Sledging (Tobogganing): a Retrospective Study].
abstract: BackgroundRecreational sledging (tobogganing) is a very popular winter sport in Alpine regions. Ascending and sledging down on the same track, however, might be associated with a certain risk of injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gather data on the causes of accidents and potential risk factors during recreational sledging.MethodsAdults indulging in recreational sledging were interviewed between March 2013 and March 2015 at six public sledging tracks in the environs of the city of Innsbruck (Tyrol, Austria) on demographics, skill level, sledging frequency, risk-taking behavior, use of protective gear, type of sledge used, previous sledging-related injuries, injured body parts and causes of accidents. Interviews were conducted on all days of the week, mainly in the afternoon and in the evening.ResultsA total of 3612 adults riding a sled (51.1 % males, 48.9 % females; mean age: 37.0 ± 14.4 years) participated in the present study. In total, 328 (9 %) participants reported a sledging-related injury. Injuries to lower extremities, arms, shoulder/back and head represented 41 %, 22 %, 11 %, and 10 %, respectively, of all sledging-related injuries. The most common causes of accidents were self-caused falls (35 %), collision with an object (23 %), and collision with another person (22 %). Sledging-related injuries in this study were associated with male sex, a higher sledging frequency, higher skill level, and risky behavior. In addition, those riding sledges who had suffered a previous injury were using more often a fast toboggan, wearing more often back protectors and wrist guards, had falls more often during sledging, and more often drank alcohol.ConclusionBased on these findings, we recommend that individuals should adapt their behavior according to track, view and weather conditions, take into consideration the crowd on the track, and abstain from alcohol.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Sportwissenschaft Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruedl
authors.affiliation: Institut für Sportwissenschaft Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pocecco
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Unfallchirurgie Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Raas
authors.affiliation: OrthoPlus München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Peter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Brucker
authors.affiliation: Institut für Sportwissenschaft Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Greier
authors.affiliation: Institut für Sportwissenschaft Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burtscher
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001317:Austria; D015984:Causality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011998:Recreation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D038161:Snow Sports / Q000293:injuries*