Terrain park participants’ perceptions of contributing factors in injury events and risk management suggestions

Abstract

Abstract Snowsport injury research has been dominated by epidemiology and engineering, with little insight from behavioural sciences that may help explain why injuries occur. Terrain parks present a challenge to snowsport resort managers who look to design an appealing terrain park, but minimizing the injury risk for a cohort that is often, younger, male and snowboarders. Using a mixed-methods design informed by a human factors approach, this research explored terrain park users’ perception of the contributing factors to injuries and recommendations for terrain park safety. Data was collected via two focus groups of teenaged terrain park participants and a survey of 78 adult terrain park users which was analyzed via a Principal Component Analysis. A key insight was the interplay between people, equipment and environment (both built and natural) as contributing factors to injury events in terrain parks as well as the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic, modifiable factors. Respondents’ recommended risk management strategies were dominated by three themes: controlling terrain park access, terrain park design and information/education. The latter highlighting the importance of effective and relevant communication strategies for this cohort. Ongoing research and monitoring are needed to understand the complex system and the interplay of people, equipment and environment in terrain parks as part of an iterative process to gain the best terrain park experience design to minimize injury risk and maximize continuing participation.