Abstract
The study evaluated characteristics of non-fatal mountain hiking accidents caused by falls. Questionnaires were sent to mountain hikers who suffered a fall-related accident in Tyrol (Austria) during a 3-year period. The questionnaire included details of socio-demographic data, physical activity, medication intake, defective vision, breaks, fluid intake, level of fatigue, muscle soreness, use of backpacks, use of hiking sticks, and type of shoes. Data of 405 individuals (57% females and 43% males) were included in the analyses. Victims were 56 ± 15 years of age, had a body mass index of 24.8 ± 3.5, and indicated 4.2 ± 3.9 h/week regular physical activity. A defective vision was reported by 70% of the victims, breaks were frequent (in 80%), and alcohol intake was rare (4%) among the interviewed hikers. Subjective level of fatigue was low and only 5% reported muscle soreness. A backpack was carried by 83% of the victims and the average weight was higher in males compared to females. The majority (61%) of the victims wore ankle-height hiking shoes with a profiled sole. Victims of non-fatal falls in mountain hiking are older than the general population of mountain hikers and are often afflicted with defective vision.
Highlights
Mountain-sport activities are practiced by an increasing number of persons
Victims with defective vision were about 7 years older compared to persons without (58 ± 14 versus 51 ± 16 years, p < 0.01)
The present study showed a high percentage of elderly persons among hikers sustaining a fall during mountain hiking requiring an emergency call
Summary
Mountain-sport activities are practiced by an increasing number of persons. In 2001, the number of tourists visiting altitudes above 2000 m was estimated at 40 million people per year in the Alps and worldwide, an annual sum of 100 million high-altitude tourists was assumed [1]. In the Alps, mountain hiking is the most attractive mountain-sport activity during the summer season with many millions of hikers in Austria each year [2] including healthy people, and individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases [3]. Mountain hiking is recommended as a suitable physical activity for health prevention in young and elderly persons [4] due to it requiring use of a large muscle mass for a prolonged period of time at a predominantly moderate intensity [5]. Public Health 2020, 17, 1115; doi:10.3390/ijerph17031115 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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