Abstract
Background:Equestrian athletes (horse riders) are at high risk for head injury, including concussions.Materials & methods:Adults riders were recruited via social media posting to complete a branching survey collecting data on demographics, riding experience, helmet use, injury history and concussion symptom knowledge. Results are reported as frequencies and percentages, with associations tested using chi-square with significance level p < 0.05.Results:Of the 2598 subjects, about 75% reported always wearing a helmet. Of those who did not, the most common reasons were that helmets are unnecessary (57.4%) or do not fit well (48.6%). Many indicated improper storage conditions and/or did not follow manufacturer’s replacement recommendations. Most (75.4%) reported a high level of comfort with recognizing concussion signs, with half experiencing a prior head injury.Conclusion:This information suggests opportunities for intervention to improve helmet use through increased fit, while the responses indicate a need for further education on proper helmet use.
Highlights
Equestrian athletes are at high risk for head injury, including concussions
Helmets are underutilized in equestrian riding activities and while guidelines have been developed for some competitive activities, change has been slow to reach all types of equestrian activities and riding culture discourages riders from seeking medical attention following a fall or head injury
The results from this study demonstrate a need for efforts to increase riders’ awareness of head injuries and highlight the need for increased education for equestrians on helmet use, care and replacement
Summary
Equestrian athletes (horse riders) are at high risk for head injury, including concussions. Materials & methods: Adults riders were recruited via social media posting to complete a branching survey collecting data on demographics, riding experience, helmet use, injury history and concussion symptom knowledge. Results: Of the 2598 subjects, about 75% reported always wearing a helmet. Of those who did not, the most common reasons were that helmets are unnecessary (57.4%) or do not fit well (48.6%). Most (75.4%) reported a high level of comfort with recognizing concussion signs, with half experiencing a prior head injury. Conclusion: This information suggests opportunities for intervention to improve helmet use through increased fit, while the responses indicate a need for further education on proper helmet use
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