Effectiveness Of Helmets Research Articles

Operation Headway: a multifaceted bike helmet promotion program

Operation Headway is a multi-partner program that combines enforcement of bike helmet legislation, education, rewards for wearing and economic penalty for non-wearing, that takes place in two Canadian provinces. The...

Bicycle helmet and head, face and neck injuries: a case–control study based on 12 000 injured cyclists from a road trauma registry

IntroductionSeveral case–control studies have assessed the effectiveness of the bicycle helmet against head and face injuries. This is the first case–control study in a non anglo-saxon setting; it is based...

Expectations of efficacy, social influence and age as predictors of helmet-use in a sample of Spanish adolescents

Despite the proven effectiveness of helmets in avoiding or reducing the severity of brain injuries and the law requiring their compulsory use, both by drivers and passengers of motorcycles, approximately 20% of Spanish adolescent motorcycle users do not wear them. This study analysed the pattern of motorcycle and helmet-use in a sample of Spanish adolescents (age range 14-17; n = 874) and the relationship this safety measure has with belief in its effectiveness and its use by friends and relatives. Overall more males than females ride motorcycles and this difference increased with age. Motorcycle drivers and passengers who always wear helmets consider them to be more effective than those who do not use a helmet all of the time. The best predictors of helmet-use among motorcycle drivers were their beliefs regarding the helmet-use of their friends and relatives. In the case of passengers, knowing that their friends always wear them and age were the best predictors of helmet-use. Programs and campaigns promoting helmet-use must take into account the modeling effect of close referents or other role models in order to increase their effectiveness.

Effectiveness of the helmet for bicyclists on injury reduction in German road accident situations – state of affairs on GIDAS

For years, information and motivation campaigns have been conducted in order to increase the frequency of use of helmets for bicyclists. Observation of two-wheeler traffic in 2005 involving more than 13,000 cyclists showed an incidence of helmet use in only 6% of the cases. This may be the reason for the fact that there are no comparative studies from Germany that prove the protective effect of the helmet by comparing victims of road accidents who wore a bicycle helmet and those who did not. For this purpose, data collected at the site of accidents (in the German In-Depth Accident Study) have been used for the first time in 10 years during which accidents with helmeted bicyclists could be documented; scientific researchers drove to the scenes of the accidents using specially equipped emergency vehicles and documented vehicle deformations and accident traces in addition to the injuries. A comprehensive accident reconstruction supplies the data concerning the speed and injury mechanisms. The data are processed representatively for the road traffic situation in Germany by means of statistic random sampling and statistic weighing and are stored in a database. An evaluation of 4049 injured bicyclists documented between the years 1999 and 2006 shows at first a decreasing and then an increasing use of bicycle helmets amongst traffic accident victims (1999: 14.2%; 2001: 3.6%; 2006: 9.5%); 518 children up to 15 years of age and 2979 adult cyclist constitute the total population available for analysis. This evaluation contains the representation of the injury situations of child and adult cyclists. Accident severity and injury samples are represented in detail, and the possible effectiveness of a bicycle helmet is discussed. The detailed data collection of accidents allows for, amongst others, the identification of the damages to the protective helmet and the analysis of head injuries in the absence of the protective helmet according to type, severity and location. For identical accident severities and accident constellations as well as relatively identical total injury severities, a lower-injury-severity Maximum Abbreviated Injury Score of cyclists and a more-frequent intactness of the head can be registered amongst bicycle helmet users (with helmet 72.7%, without helmet 61.3%). Severe injury Abbreviated Injury Score > 3 occurred 50% more frequently without helmet than with helmet (without helmet: 1.8%; with helmet: 1.2%).

Spinal Column and Spinal Cord Injuries in Mountain Bikers

Background: Multiple studies have described in general the injuries associated with mountain biking, and detailed accounts of spine injuries sustained in hockey, gymnastics, skiing, snowboarding, rugby, and paragliding have previously been published. However, no large-scale detailed assessment of mountain biking associated spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries has previously been published. Purpose: This study was undertaken to describe the patient demographics, injuries, mechanisms, treatments, outcomes, and resource requirements associated with spine injuries sustained while mountain biking. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients who were injured while mountain biking, and who were seen at a provincial spine referral center between 1995 and 2007 inclusive, with spinal cord injuries and/or spine fracture were included. A chart review was performed to obtain demographic data, and details of the injury, treatment, outcome, and resource requirements. Results: A total of 102 men and 5 women were identified for inclusion. The mean age at injury was 32.7 years (95% confidence interval 30.6, 35.0). Seventy-nine patients (73.8%) sustained cervical injuries, while the remainder sustained thoracic or lumbar injuries. Forty-three patients (40.2%) sustained a spinal cord injury. Of those with cord injuries, 18 (41.9%) were American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A, 5 (11.6%) were ASIA B, 10 (23.3%) ASIA C, and 10 (23.3%) ASIA D. Sixty-seven patients (62.6%) required surgical treatment. The mean length of stay in an acute hospital bed was 16.9 days (95% confidence interval 13.1, 30.0). Thirty-three patients (30.8%) required intensive care unit attention, and 31 patients (29.0%) required inpatient rehabilitation. Of the 43 patients (40.2%) seen with spinal cord injuries, 14 (32.5%) improved by 1 ASIA category, and 1 (2.3%) improved by 2 ASIA categories. Two patients remained ventilator-dependent at discharge. Conclusion: Spine fractures and spinal cord injuries caused by mountain biking accidents typically affect young, male, recreational riders. The medical, personal, and societal costs of these injuries are high. Injury prevention should remain a primary goal, and further research is necessary to explore the utility of educational programs, and the effect of helmets and other protective gear on spine injuries sustained while mountain biking.

The effect of helmets on the risk of head and neck injuries among skiers and snowboarders: a meta-analysis.

The prevention of head injuries in alpine activities has focused on helmets. However, no systematic review has examined the effect of helmets on head and neck injuries among skiers and snowboarders. We searched electronic databases, conference proceedings and reference lists using a combination of the key words "head injury or head trauma," "helmet" and "skiing or snowboarding." We included studies that used a control group; compared skiers or snowboarders with and without helmets; and measured at least one objectively quantified outcome (e.g., head injury, and neck or cervical injury). We included 10 case-control, 1 case-control/case-crossover and 1 cohort study in our analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) indicated that skiers and snowboarders with a helmet were significantly less likely than those without a helmet to have a head injury (OR 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-0.79). The result was similar for studies that used controls without an injury (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.36-0.92), those that used controls with an injury other than a head or neck injury (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.52-0.80) and studies that included children under the age of 13 years (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.59). Helmets were not associated with an increased risk of neck injury (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.72-1.09). Our findings show that helmets reduce the risk of head injury among skiers and snowboarders with no evidence of an increased risk of neck injury.

Risk Factors for Riding and Crashing a Motorcycle Unhelmeted

Background: Currently, less than half of all U.S. states require helmets for motorcycle operators. Although research has demonstrated the effectiveness of helmets, less is known about the characteristics of individuals who choose to ride motorcycles unhelmeted. Objectives: The specific aims of this study were to identify risk factors leading to riding and crashing a motorcycle without a helmet and to compare outcomes of helmeted vs. unhelmeted motorcyclists involved in a motorcycle crash. Methods: This 13-year (1994–2006) retrospective study of adult motorcycle crashes admitted to a Level II trauma center compares helmeted to unhelmeted motorcyclists. Results: There were 1738 motorcyclists admitted, including 978 (56%) helmeted (38 years old, 87% male) and 760 (44%) unhelmeted (38 years old, 85% male). Unhelmeted riders had a higher Injury Severity Score (16 vs. 13, p < 0.001), lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (13 vs. 14, p < 0.001), and more hypotension (6% vs. 4%, p = 0.03). Unhelmeted riders had worse outcomes, including higher rate of severe disability (16% vs. 10%, p < 0.001), more days in the hospital (7 vs. 6, p < 0.001) and intensive care unit (2 vs. 1, p < 0.001), incurred higher hospital charges ($44,744 vs. $31,369, p < 0.001), and had higher mortality (6% vs. 2%, p < 0.001). Independent predictors of riding without a helmet included alcohol intoxication, riding as a passenger, and lack of health insurance. Conclusions: Unhelmeted motorcyclists sustain more severe injuries and adverse outcomes. Motorcyclists who are intoxicated, uninsured, or passengers are less likely to wear a helmet. Education and prevention strategies should be targeted at these high-risk populations.

Motorcycle Helmets Save Lives, But Not Limbs: A National Trauma Data Bank Analysis of Functional Outcomes After Motorcycle Crash

The incidence of motorcycle fatalities over the last 10 y has nearly doubled. There is considerable evidence that motorcycle helmets save lives, but there are little data regarding the impact that helmets have on functional outcomes after a motorcycle crash. The objective of this study was to determine the difference between helmeted and non-helmeted motorcyclists in the odds of developing a functional deficit at discharge in three domains: speech, locomotion, and feeding. Reviewed cases in the National Trauma Databank v7.0 involved in motorcycle collisions. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of helmets on mortality and functional outcomes, adjusting for age, race, gender, insurance status, anatomic and physiologic injury severity, and head injury. The adjusted odds of mortality (0.75; 95% CI 0.65-0.86) and functional deficits in speech (0.82; 95% CI 0.69-0.97), locomotion (1.19; 95% CI 1.11-1.29), and feeding (0.96 95% CI 0.84-1.08) among helmeted riders was compared with non-helmeted motorcyclists with equivalent injuries. Helmeted motorcyclists are less likely to die and develop a deficit in speech after a motorcycle collision. These data support that motorcycle helmets are important in preventing functional deficits related to head injury.

The Health Impact of Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Laws

This article seeks to answer the question whether mandatory bicycle helmet laws deliver a net societal health benefit. The question is addressed using a simple model. The model recognizes a single health benefit -- reduced head injuries, and a single health cost -- increased morbidity due to foregone exercise from reduced cycling. Using estimates suggested in the literature of the effectiveness of helmets, the health benefits of cycling, head injury rates, and reductions in cycling, leads to the following conclusions. In jurisdictions where cycling is safe, a helmet law is likely to have a large unintended negative health impact. In jurisdiction where cycling is relatively unsafe, helmets will do little to make it safer and a helmet law, under relatively extreme assumptions may make a small positive contribution to net societal health. The model serves to focus the mandatory bicycle helmet law debate on overall health.

Are bicycle helmets necessary for children? Pros and cons

Prevalence of severe head injuries and deaths in children due to bicycle accidents is high in Hungary. The aim of this review was to investigate the effectiveness of bicycle helmets in preventing head injuries in children. Review of literature was based on Hungarian and international studies published on MEDLINE. Furthermore, we used official statistical databases and investigations of some international child safety organizations. The effectiveness of bicycle helmets in reducing the number of severe head injuries and bicycle deaths is very well established. Several countries have mandatory helmet laws, which lowered bicycle deaths and severe head injuries. It was proved that helmets are effective only if worn properly. Otherwise the risk of head injuries might increase. In spite of the findings, counter-arguments question the effectiveness of helmets; moreover, give account of a helmet's risk growing effect. Upon the literature, the number of studies proving the necessity of helmets is higher than those objecting to them. However, this positive effect can be achieved only if several factors are present at the same time. In Hungary there is a need for effective prevention strategies such as the popularization of properly-worn helmets.

1903 年齢別頭部有限要素モデルによる幼児用ヘルメットの外傷予防効果の評価(OS19.計算ソリッドバイオメカニクス(1),オーガナイズドセッション)

1903 年齢別頭部有限要素モデルによる幼児用ヘルメットの外傷予防効果の評価(OS19.計算ソリッドバイオメカニクス(1),オーガナイズドセッション)

Advances in the prevention of children's injuries: an examination of four common outdoor activities

Injuries remain the leading cause of death for children. Experts in paediatrics and child health have a current interest in promoting children's healthy active living. This review highlights findings from recent literature regarding the prevention of injuries from four common outdoor activities: bicycling, snowboarding and skiing, walking and playground activity. There is sound evidence for the effectiveness of bicycle helmets, the promotion of bicycle helmets at a community level and through physician counselling, and legislation; for the effectiveness of helmets for skiing and snowboarding; for the effectiveness of implementing playground safety standards; and for the effectiveness of modifications to the pedestrian physical environment. The science of injury prevention has advanced considerably. The highest level of evidence, including systematic reviews, is now available regarding the effectiveness of protective measures, engineering approaches to the environment and legislation. Healthcare providers caring for children play a leading role in injury prevention through child and family counselling, advocacy and research.

Pediatric Head and Neck Injuries in Snow Sports: Evaluating the Influence of Helmets

Abstract The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported in 1999 that head injuries represent approximately 14 % of all skiing and snowboarding injuries. Cadman and Macnab showed that children were twice as likely as other age groups to sustain injuries to the head, face, and neck. While helmets have been shown to reduce the overall number of head injuries for the pediatric population, some members of the skiing and medical communities have indicated that pediatric helmets may increase the likelihood of neck injuries. We conducted a two-part experimental study to examine the potential effects of pediatric helmets during severe collisions. In the first part of the study, we measured the speeds of 154 children on beginner and intermediate ski slopes. Across all locations at a resort, the average speed of the children was 18.7 kph (11.6 mph). In the second part of the study, we used an instrumented Hybrid-III 10-year-old anthropomorphic test device (ATD) to determine the head accelerations, neck loads, and chest deflection associated with two impact conditions: (1) inertial neck loading created during torso impacts into a rigid barrier and, (2) direct head contact and neck loading during skier-to-pole and skier-to-skier impacts. For these tests, the ATD was accelerated to the average observed speed of pediatric skiers and snowboarders. The data show that the use of a helmet did not increase the likelihood of severe neck injury during the inertial neck loading condition. The results of the direct head contact tests showed that compressive loads on the neck were reduced with helmet use, but always exceeded injury thresholds with or without a helmet. As expected, helmet use did reduce substantially the likelihood of severe brain injury in the skier-to-pole (by 47 %) and skier-to-skier (by 69 %) impacts by decreasing the linear accelerations, angular accelerations, and head injury criterion.

The role of head tilt, hair and wind speed on forced convective heat loss through full-face motorcycle helmets: A thermal manikin study

A thermal manikin headform was used to examine the effect of full-face motorcycle helmets on (primarily forced) convective heat loss under the following interventions: (i) a 30° forward head tilt angle (six helmets), (ii) a wig installed between the headform and helmet (six helmets), and (iii) applied wind speeds ranging from 0–80 km h −1 (three helmets). In all interventions measurements were carried out for open and closed vents. The average convective heat loss was obtained from a steady state period under controlled ambient conditions. It was found that: (i) for many helmets a reduction in heat loss in the face section is found when tilting the head forward, (ii) the wig reduced the heat loss by a factor of ∼2, and (iii) heat loss is approximately linearly dependent on wind speed (0–80 km h −1), with some exceptions below 30 km h −1. Relevance to industry Understanding (forced convective) heat loss of motorcycle helmets is necessary for optimization of thermal comfort, which might influence the wearer's ability to concentrate, as well as his/her desire to wear a helmet. The complexity of the problem requires the study of several parameters.

Helmets for preventing injury in motorcycle riders

Motorcycle crash victims form a high proportion of those killed or injured in road traffic crashes. Injuries to the head, following motorcycle crashes, are a common cause of severe morbidity and mortality. It seems intuitive that helmets should protect against head injuries but it has been argued that motorcycle helmet use decreases rider vision and increases neck injuries. This review will collate the current available evidence on helmets and their impact on mortality, and head, face and neck injuries following motorcycle crashes. To assess the effects of wearing a motorcycle helmet in reducing mortality and head and neck injury following motorcycle crashes. We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library issue 2, 2007), MEDLINE (up to April 2007), EMBASE (up to April week 16, 2007), CINAHL (January 1982 to February 2003), TRANSPORT (up to issue 12, 2006) (TRANSPORT combines the following databases: Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) International Transport Research Documentation (ITRD) formerly International Road Research Documentation (IRRD), ATRI (Australian Transport Index) (1976 to Feb 2003), Science Citation Index were searched for relevant articles. Websites of traffic and road safety research bodies including government agencies were also searched. Reference lists from topic reviews, identified studies and bibliographies were examined for relevant articles. We considered studies that investigated a population of motorcycle riders who had crashed, examining helmet use as an intervention and with outcomes that included one or more of the following: death, head, neck or facial injury. We included any studies that compared an intervention and control group. Therefore the following study designs were included: randomised controlled trials, non-randomised controlled trials, cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies. Ecological and case series studies were excluded. Two authors independently screened reference lists for eligible articles. Two authors independently assessed articles for inclusion criteria. Data were abstracted by two independent authors using a standard abstraction form. Sixty-one observational studies were selected of varying quality. Despite methodological differences there was a remarkable consistency in results, particularly for death and head injury outcomes. Motorcycle helmets were found to reduce the risk of death and head injury in motorcyclists who crashed. From four higher quality studies helmets were estimated to reduce the risk of death by 42% (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.68) and from six higher quality studies helmets were estimated to reduce the risk of head injury by 69% (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.38). Insufficient evidence was found to estimate the effect of motorcycle helmets compared with no helmet on facial or neck injuries. However, studies of poorer quality suggest that helmets have no effect on the risk of neck injuries and are protective for facial injury. There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate whether differences in helmet type confer more or less advantage in injury reduction. Motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death and head injury in motorcycle riders who crash. Further well-conducted research is required to determine the effects of helmets and different helmet types on mortality, head, neck and facial injuries. However, the findings suggest that global efforts to reduce road traffic injuries may be facilitated by increasing helmet use by motorcyclists.

Helmet Use and Effectiveness in Reducing the Severity of Head Injuries in Thailand

Head injuries due to motorcycle accidents are the main cause of death and disability among motorcycle users in Thailand. It is well known that wearing a helmet is one of the most effective ways to reduce the severity of head injuries due to motorcycle crashes. Although the helmet act for motorcyclists was enacted in Thailand in 1994, the rate of helmet use has not increased, and the rate of head injuries and fatalities due to motorcycle accidents has not been reduced. In this study, a field survey was conducted to observe helmet use in Bangkok and three other major regional provinces. The observation shows that the rate of helmet use is significantly low across the study areas. Age, location, time of day, and seating position significantly affect helmet use, whereas gender and the day of the week do not show any effect. The logit model was also used to evaluate the factors affecting helmet use on the basis of the injury surveillance data of motorcycle accident victims. Results indicate that the victims in the pillion, or passenger, position are less likely to use a helmet and those who ride during the nighttime, regardless of seating position, tend not to wear a helmet. To evaluate the effectiveness of helmet use and other related ways to reduce the severity of head injuries, the ordered logit regression technique was applied to the hospital-based data, using the data on patients suffering from head injuries due to road crashes. It is found that helmet use can reduce the severity of head injuries for motorcycle crash victims. The probability of fatality due to head injuries is reduced by 38% for motorcyclists wearing helmets. For motorcycle riders, helmets are found to be effective in protecting against head injuries, particularly for those riding under the influence of alcohol; the probability of death could be reduced by 43%. Those in the passenger position without helmets are more likely to sustain either serious or fatal head injuries than are riders without helmets. Results also indicate that a 58% reduction in the probability of fatality from head injuries is associated with the use of helmets by motorcycle passengers.

Factors affecting severity of bicycle‐related injuries: The role of helmets in preventing head injuries

To identify factors that affect the severity of bicycle-related injuries in patients with head injury compared with those without, so as to find whether the effect of using helmets extends beyond head protection, and to explore a direct protective effect of helmets on head injuries. A total of 297 patients with bicycle-related injuries were studied. A generalized linear model was used to test the effect of age, sex, helmet use, cause of injury, year of injury, place of injury and whether the injury occurred on public or school holidays on the Injury Severity Score (ISS) in those patients who had head injury and those without. A logistic regression model was used to define the factors that contribute to head injury, while adjusting for ISS. Factors affecting ISS in the generalized linear model in those who had head injury were: cause of injury (P = 0.01) and there was a trend for helmet use (P = 0.06). The significant factors that have affected ISS in the no head injury group were age (P = 0.002) and place of accident (P = 0.03). Logistic regression has shown that with each increase of 1 point in the ISS the odds of head injury increases by a factor of 1.22 (95% confidence interval 1.13-1.31) and the use of helmets reduces the odds of head injury by a factor of 0.48 (95% confidence interval 0.23-1.03). The reduced severity of injury in helmeted patients is because of protection of the head and not other body regions.

Awareness of the Bicycle Helmet Law in North Carolina

One in 3 bicyclists killed in North Carolina is under the age of 16. Since enactment of a mandatory bicycle helmet law for children in 2001, there has been no observed increase in helmet use in North Carolina. The goal of this study was to assess perceptions of helmet effectiveness and the level ofawareness of the North Carolina bicycle helmet law. A written survey was distributed to parents, physicians, teachers, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel throughout Pitt County, North Carolina, to ask their knowledge of the bicycle helmet law, the frequency of their helmet use, their perceptions of the effectiveness of helmets, their opinions of who should be providing education about bicycle helmets, and their knowledge ofpr oper bicycle helmet use. The survey response rate was 72% (n=43). Seventy-five percent of teachers and EMS personnel, 69% ofparents, and 580% of physicians were aware of the North Carolina helmet law. Nineteen percent of parents responded that their children wore helmets "always", 1% answered "often", and 18% answered "never". The effectiveness of helmets in preventing head injuries was underestimated by many respondents with 49% estimating 50%-75% effectiveness. This survey was distributed only in Pitt County and does not reflect helmet awareness for the state as a whole. The majority ofparents, teachers, physicians, and EMS personnel in Pitt County, North Carolina, are aware of the mandatory bicycle helmet law for children. Enforcement of and education about the bicycle helmet law should be increased .

Lateral Head Impacts and Protection of the Temporal Area by Bicycle Safety Helmets

The protective effectiveness of bicycle helmets has been demonstrated in several epidemiologic studies. However, the temple region is only minimally covered by most helmet models. Impact tests were performed on human cadavers to investigate whether current bicycle helmets are capable of preventing direct contact on the temporal area in side impacts. Lateral head impacts, corresponding to a force load of 15,000 N on an nonhelmeted head, were applied on 11 helmeted cadavers by a steel pendulum with a flat impact surface, and the contact between the impactor plate and the temporal and zygomatic area was investigated by means of paint transfer. In eight tests, a common design bicycle helmet was used, whereas in three tests the helmets provided larger temporal coverage (temporal helmet edge <10 mm above Frankfort plane). The skulls were inspected for fractures. In seven of the eight tests with common design bicycle helmets, contact had occurred and in one of these a skull fracture was seen. The helmets with a larger temporal coverage consistently prevented such contact loading. The common designs of commercially available bicycle helmets do not prevent direct contact loading on the temporal and zygomatic arch region and this contact loading is potentially harmful. The present preliminary study strongly questions the effectiveness of these helmets in providing accurate protection of the temporal and zygomatic area.

Speeds Associated With Skiing and Snowboarding

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in skiing and snowboarding. Although previous studies have advocated the use of a helmet to reduce the incidence of TBI, only a minority of skiers and snowboarders wear helmets. The low use of helmets may be partially due to controversy regarding their effectiveness in a high-speed crash. The protective effect of a ski helmet is diminished at the high speeds a skier or snowboarder can potentially obtain on an open slope. However, ski areas have undergone significant changes in the past decade. Many skiers and snowboarders frequent nontraditional terrain such as gladed areas and terrain parks. Since these areas contain numerous physical obstacles, we hypothesized that skiers and snowboarders would traverse these areas at speeds slow enough to expect a significant protective effect from a helmet. Speed data were obtained via radar analysis of 2 groups of expert level skiers and snowboarders traversing a gladed woods trail and terrain park. A total of 113 observations were recorded. Forty-eight observations were made of 9 skiers and snowboarders in gladed terrain, and 65 observations were conducted of 21 skiers and snowboarders in the terrain park. In 79% of the cases in gladed terrain and 94% of the instances in the terrain park, observed speeds were less than 15 mph. Skiers and snowboarders navigate nontraditional terrain at speeds slower than on open slopes. At the observed velocities, a helmet would be expected to provide significant help in diminishing the occurrence of TBI. Medical authorities should advocate the use of helmets as an important component of an overall strategy to reduce the incidence of TBI associated with skiing and snowboarding.