Potential Risk Factors for Knee Injuries in Alpine Skiers

Abstract

Objectives: To identify potential risk factors for knee injury in female alpine skiers. Methods: Injury survey in the winter season 2005 in one big Austrian ski area. Data collection on all injured skiers who needed evacuation included demographic variables, weather and snow conditions, circumstances of the skiing accident, the type of ski used, and injury location. Results: In total, 344 injured alpine skiers (41.3 % males, 58.7 % females) who needed evacuation were recorded. Twenty six percent of the injured male skiers and 47 % of the injured female skiers had knee injury. Female skiers with knee injuries were older, reported less regular physical activity, had more injuries in the morning hours and on cold days, and were not as likely to be using newly adjusted bindings in comparison to female skiers with non-knee injuries. Conclusion: This study found a set of potential risk factors for knee injury in female skiers. This is considered to be a valuable basis for more in-depth studies evaluating causal connections between these factors and the risk for knee injuries in female skiers.