Factors Associated With Helmet Use and Risk-Taking in Skiing and Snowboarding

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Over the past decade, helmet use in recreational skiing and snowboarding has increased dramatically, while injury rates have remained stable or increased. There has been ongoing discussion regarding the concept of risk compensation as an explanation for this trend. Risk compensation is the theory that people will adjust behavior based on a perceived level of risk, thus behaving less cautiously when they feel protected. Recent studies suggest that increased skier and snowboarder risk-taking is not associated with helmet use, but is associated with other factors, including age, skill, sex, and risk-taking proclivity. PURPOSE: This study sought to characterize factors associated with risk-taking behavior among recreational skiers and snowboarders. METHODS: This study was a prospective cross sectional survey of skiers and snowboarders at a large western United States mountain resort. Individuals responded to survey questions regarding attitudes and practices surrounding helmet use, the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS) as a measure of risk taking behavior, and self-reported risk compensation. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression (MLR) and logistic regression (LR). RESULTS: Of the respondents (N = 1,267), 17.7%, 13.1%, and 69.2% reported that they wore a helmet never, sometimes, and always, respectively. The MLR analysis showed that, after adjusting for common demographic variables, individuals reporting to sometimes wear a helmet had significantly higher BSSS scores than those reporting to never wear a helmet (p = 0.010). It was also found that male sex, younger age, snowboarding, and higher perceived sport ability level were significantly associated with higher BSSS scores (p < 0.05). The LR analysis indicated that the odds of taking more risks when wearing a helmet for inconsistent helmet users was 1.57 times higher than the odds for those who reported to always wear a helmet. CONCLUSION: Individuals who inconsistently wear a helmet have characteristics of risk taking behavior and risk compensation more than those who always wear a helmet or never wear a helmet. Male sex, younger age, snowboarding, and higher perceived sport ability are also important determinants in risk taking behavior. These results will inform future injury prevention research in these high risk sports.