Understanding and optimising helmet-related and other health and social effects of the first North American university campus skatepark

Abstract

ABSTRACT Skateboarding has growing societal uptake, as seen through its inclusion in 2021’s Summer Olympics. To promote positive health and social outcomes, skateparks are being developed around the world. A challenge in optimising skateparks’ benefits lies in reducing injury risk, particularly head trauma. This study occurred at the University of British Columbia Skatepark (July–September 2019) with the goal of identifying and theoretically contextualising facilitators and barriers to helmet use. Participants (total n = 54, 92.6% male) were interviewed (n = 54) and surveyed (n = 27). We performed thematic analysis on the transcripts, finding that barriers to helmet use included helmet discomfort, low perceived risk of injury, cultural norms, and style, and facilitators included a belief that helmets promote safety, higher-risk skating activities, older and younger ages, and role modelling. We propose a conceptual model showing multiple points of intervention to promote skatepark safety beyond helmet use alone, integrating theories of sociology, social psychology, and public health.