Snowsport Injuries Research Articles

Characteristics of Sports Injuries in Athletes During the Winter Olympics: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Athletes in the Winter Olympic Games are subject to high injury rates given the physical demands of sports. Comprehensive data regarding injury characteristics in these athletes are limited. To summarize and analyze data regarding the incidence and characteristics of sports injuries occurring in the Winter Olympic Games. Scoping review; Level of evidence, 4. A systematic review of the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted. Included were studies reporting the incidence of sports injuries during the Winter Olympics Games from 1995 through 2021. From 168 studies initially retrieved, 4 studies (8824 athletes, 1057 injured athletes) were included. A single-group meta-analysis of sports injury characteristics was performed, with subgroup analysis performed according to the different sports, injury locations, and injury types. Injury severity (time lost from sport) and mechanism were also assessed. The overall injury incidence rate (IIR) during the Winter Olympic Games was 9.6% (95% CI, 4.1%-19.8%). Snow sports were associated with the highest IIR (11.3%), with the top 3 events being the snowboard cross event in snowboarding (31.4%), the aerials event in freestyle skiing (28.6%), and the slopestyle event in snowboarding (27.7%). The most common injury locations were the knee (IIR = 20.0%; 95% CI 17.9%-22.0%), head (IIR = 10.6%; 95% CI, 9.4%-11.9%), and ankle (IIR = 8.2%; 95% CI 7.8%-8.7%). The most common injury types were contusion/hematoma/bruise (IIR = 29.9%; 95% CI 29.7%-30.0%), sprain (dislocation, subluxation, instability, ligamentous, rupture) (IIR = 21.9%; 95% CI 21.4%-22.3%), and strain (muscle rupture, tear, tendon rupture) (IIR = 11.3%; 95% CI 11.0%-11.6%). Regarding injury severity, most athletes had no time lost from sport (64.5%); 24.0% lost fewer than 7 days, and 11.5% lost more than 7 days. The most common injury mechanism was noncontact-related injury (63.3%). In Winter Olympics sports, snow-sport injuries were more common than those associated with other sports, and the most common injury location was the knee. Most injuries did not require time loss, and the most were noncontact-related injuries.

Analysis of Patients Coming to the Emergency Department with Snow Sports Injury

Snow sports pose serious risks from minor soft tissue traumas to injuries of vital areas. For this reason, we think that the importance of the multidisciplinary approach of the emergency room doctors and to pay attention to the prehospital safety methods is absolutely necessary. The study included patients who applied to Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine between 01.11.2018 and 31.03.2019 with snow sports injuries. After snow sports traumas, the first application was in December and the most frequent application was in February with a rate of 37.3% (n=121). 1.06 patients applied daily and peaked with 4.32 patients daily in February. 56.2% (n=182) of the patients who presented to the emergency department with snow sports trauma were male and the mean age was 26.78±10.83 (6–65) were professionals. According to the frequency of traumas of the athletes, ski, snowboard and sled use depended. The patients most frequently applied with extremity traumas, followed by head, spine, and trunk traumas. X-rays were used in extremity traumas, while CT imaging was preferred in head and trunk traumas. 93% (n=301) of the patients were discharged from the emergency department, 25.3% (n=82) were consulted, 7% (n=23) were hospitalized and surgical treatment was performed for 3.7% (n=12) of the patients.

The Global Research Status and Trends in Ice and Snow Sports Injuries from 1995 to 2022: A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis

The aim of the present study is to focus on the most popular winter sports programs, and to investigate the global research status and trends in sports-related injuries. The Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database was chosen as original data and used for extracting publications on ice and snow sports injuries on 18 February 2022. Articles published in English between 1995 to 2022 were selected for this study. Finally, for the topic search, a sum of 1605 articles were extracted and used for further analysis. The country and journal ranked first-in terms of total number, total citations and the highest H-index of publications-were the USA and American Journal of Sports Medicine, respectively. The affiliation with the most cited publications was the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. The most influential first author with the most citations (2537 times), the greatest average citations per article (65.05 times) and the highest H-index (26) was Bahr R. Articles were divided into five main clusters based on keyword analysis: injuries study, head and neck damage study, risk study, therapy study and epidemiology study. Studies related to epidemiology and brain damage in ice and snow sports will continue to be research hot topics. In conclusion, our study indicates that the ice and snow sports injuries research domain is more prevalent in North America and Europe. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of ice and snow sports injuries and provides hotspot directions.

Observation on the Effect of Rehabilitative Physical Training on Ice and Snow Sports Injury under Ultrasound Examination.

In order to solve the problem of rehabilitative physical training on ice and snow sports injuries, the author proposed an observation method using ultrasonography to be proposed. This method selects patients with anterior talofibular ligament injury treated in a hospital, forty-nine patients who did not undergo conventional rehabilitation under the surveillance of sports medicine ultrasound were set as the control group, a total of 49 patients with anterior talofibular ligament injury who underwent rehabilitation treatment under the monitoring of sports medicine ultrasound were selected as the experimental group, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients was retrospectively analyzed, in order to discuss the application value of sports medicine ultrasound in the rehabilitation of anterior talofibular ligament injury. The results showed that comparing the rehabilitation effect, ankle function score, and daily living ability of the two groups of patients, the experimental group was better than the control group. Comparing the thickness of ligament and effusion between the two groups, the experimental group was also better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Ultrasound medical examination can help doctors to effectively judge the degree of injury and recovery of patients, and doctors can adjust the treatment plan in time according to the examination results and formulate an effective rehabilitation plan, which can greatly shorten the recovery time of patients, improve the treatment effect, promote the functional recovery of the ankle joint, and reduce the occurrence of complications.

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

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.

A Narrative Review of Injury Incidence, Location, and Injury Factor of Elite Athletes in Snowsport Events.

Snowsport athletes face a high injury risk both during training and in competitions. Reducing injury incidence is crucial for athletes to achieve breakthroughs. This narrative review aimed to summarize and analyze injury data of elite athletes in snowsports and provide references for injury prevention and health security for these athletes and their coaches. A total of 39 studies that investigated snowsport injury were analyzed in the present study. On the basis of injury data of elite athletes in snowsports events, this narrative review focused on four aspects, namely, injury incidence, severity, location and causes. The findings of this review were as follows. (1) The highest injury incidence was recorded in freestyle skiing, followed by alpine skiing and snowboarding, the majority of which were moderate and severe injuries. (2) The proportion of injury in competitions and during training was similar. However, more injuries occurred in official training during the Winter Olympic Games; by contrast, injury proportion was higher in competitions during World Cup/World Championships. (3) The most commonly and severely injured body parts were the knees (29.9%), head and face (12.1%), shoulders and clavicula (10.5%), and lower back (8.9%). The most common injury types were joint and ligament injury (41.5%), fracture and bone stress (24.4%), concussion (11.1%), and muscle/tendon injury (10.7%). (4) The main causes of snowsport injury were collisions, falls, and non-contact injuries. Snowsport injury was also influenced by the skill level of the athletes, gender, course setup and equipment. Future studies should further explore the influence of event characteristics and intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors on snowsport injury. An injury or trauma reconstruction may be developed to predict athletic injuries and provide effective prevention strategies.

Injury trends in alpine skiing and a snowboarding over the decade 2008–09 to 2017–18

ObjectivesThis research explores snowsport injury trends in western Canadian resorts over the decade 2008−2018. DesignEcological study. MethodsInjury and participation data on alpine skiing and snowboarding was provided by the Canada West Ski Areas Association for 2008−2018. Inclusion criteria were met by 29 of 52 resorts, resulting in the analysis of 107,540 injury reports via SPSS 24, using descriptive statistics and chi-squared analysis. ResultsOver the decade: there was a gradual decline in the injury rate, averaging 2.24 injuries per 1000 skier days. Male snowboarders accounted for 1/3 of all injured participants, females were 42% of all. Day-ticket holders were the most injured of all customer-types, with most injuries occurring as the result of falls on marked, green/easiest terrain. For skiers, injuries to lower limbs, and especially knees, were most common. For snowboarders, upper limb injuries, especially wrists, were most common. 12.8% of the injured population required emergency transport. Advanced slopes/terrain had the highest proportion requiring emergency transport. Fewer skiers experienced head injuries than snowboarders. Snowboarders experienced a higher proportion of serious injuries. ConclusionsSnowsport injuries are relatively rare when compared to other sports. Skiers were most prone to knee injuries and snowboarders to wrist injuries. Emergency transport was proportionally needed more from advanced slopes/terrain. Further research is needed into why and how participants make decisions around risk. Future injury prevention strategies should be evaluated in light of potential risk factors such as, social determinants of injury, fall mechanisms, changing participation patterns, age, snowsport discipline, and legal cannabis use.

Pediatric Snow Sport Injuries Differ By Age

Background: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among pediatric patients in the United States. There were an estimated 13,436 injuries related to snowboarding or downhill skiing in those younger than 15 in 2015, with 4.8% requiring admission. Skiing and snowboarding are high-risk sports due to the ever-present danger of serious injury even when using protective equipment. We hypothesized that snow sport related injury patterns would differ based on patient …

Pediatric Snow Sport Injuries Differ By Age

Pediatric Snow Sport Injuries Differ By Age

Pediatric snow sport injuries differ by age

BackgroundUnintentional injury is the leading cause of death among pediatric patients. There were 13,436 injuries related to snow sports in those younger than 15 in 2015, with 4.8% requiring admission. These sports are high-risk given the potential for injury even when using protective equipment. We hypothesized that snow sport injury patterns would differ based on patient age. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of the 2009 and 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database was performed.Cases of injuries were identified and analyzed using ICD-9 codes. National estimates were obtained using case weighting. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess for confounders. ResultsWithin 745 admissions, there was a statistically significant decrease in skull/facial fractures with increasing age and a statistically significant increase in abdominal injuries with increasing age. Children in early and middle childhood were at increased odds of being hospitalized with skull/facial fractures, while older children were more likely hospitalized with abdominal injuries. ConclusionsWithin the pediatric snow sport population, younger children are more likely to experience head injuries, while older children are more likely to experience abdominal injuries.Further research is needed to determine the origin of this difference, and continued legislation on helmets is also necessary in reducing intracranial injuries. Level of EvidenceIII

Undergraduate paramedic student experiences working in snow resort medical clinics: a non-traditional interprofessional clinical placement model

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Abstract&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study investigates the experiences of undergraduate paramedic students completing interprofessional clinical placements in snow sport injury clinics. Qualitative methods were used to investigate the experiences of participants (n=6) undertaking a non-traditional ambulance clinical placements as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Ethical approval was obtained through X University. Data were collected via one-on-one face-to-face interviews and analysed using holistic and focused coding. Results were divided into three main categories, namely pre-placement, intra-placement and post placement phases. As it was a new placement, student capabilities were not initially known by clinic staff. Nevertheless the workplace culture was inclusive and supportive, and paramedic skills were applicable in the clinic environment. Despite the placement costs being excessive, participants viewed it as an investment in their future careers. Benefits of the placement included improved maturity levels, acquisition of professional networks, an understanding of interprofessional practice and an exposure to clinical skills not normally practiced on traditional ambulance placements. The interprofessional clinical placement appears to be a valid alternative to traditional ambulance placements. However, using this model to replace mainstream placements is problematic due to the costs involved, the limited number of spots available and the seasonal occurrence of snow sports. &lt;/p&gt;

The risk of snow sport injury in pediatric patients

PurposeIn 2015, approximately 13,436 snowboarding or skiing injuries occurred in children younger than 15. We describe injury patterns of pediatric snow sport participants based on age, activity at the time of injury, and use of protective equipment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of 10–17 year old patients with snow-sport related injuries at a Level-1 trauma center from 2005 to 2015. Participants were divided into groups, 10–13 (middle-school, MS) and 14–17 years (high-school, HS) and compared using chi-square, Student's t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression. ResultsWe identified 235 patients. The HS group had a higher proportion of females than MS (17.5% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.03) but groups were otherwise similar. Helmet use was significantly lower in the HS group (51.6% vs. 76.5%, p < 0.01). MS students were more likely to suffer any head injury (aOR 4.66, 95% CI: 1.70–12.8), closed head injury (aOR 3.69 95% CI: 1.37–9.99), or loss of consciousness (aOR 5.56 95% CI 1.76–17.6) after 4 pm. HS students engaging in jumps or tricks had 2.79 times the risk of any head injury (aOR 2.79 95% CI: 1.18–6.57) compared to peers that did not. HS students had increased risk of solid organ injury when helmeted (aOR 4.86 95% CI: 1.30–18.2). ConclusionsInjured high-school snow sports participants were less likely to wear helmets and more likely to have solid organ injuries when helmeted than middle-schoolers. Additionally, high-schoolers with head injuries were more like to sustain these injures while engaging in jumps or tricks. Injury prevention in this vulnerable population deserves further study. Level of evidenceLevel III (Retrospective Comparative Study).

Hospital-Treated Snow Sport Injury in Victoria, Australia: A Summary of 2003–2012

To determine the incidence rate and changes over time for ice and snow sports injury in Victoria, Australia, from 2003 to 2012 and describe the most common types and causes of these injuries. Retrospective data from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit describing hospital admissions and emergency department presentations were extracted for the 10-year period of 2003 to 2012 for all ice- and snow-related injury. Descriptive injury data and participation-adjusted trend analyses using log-linear regression modelling of data (statistical significance, P<0.05) from the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey 2003 to 2010 are presented. Overall, there were 7387 ice- and snow-related injuries, with a significant increase in hospital-treated snowboard injuries and a (nonsignificant) decline in hospital-treated ski injuries over the 10 years. Skiing (39%) and snowboarding (37%) had the highest incidence of hospital-treated injury, with males aged 15 to 24 years injured most frequently in both sports. Falls were the most common cause of injury in both skiing (68%) and snowboarding (78%). Patterns of snow sports injury in Australia during 2003 to 2012 remain similar to findings of national studies conducted decades earlier. More importantly, however, Australian injury patterns are comparable to international statistics and thus may be generalizable internationally. Head injuries, although infrequent, are associated with great injury severity due to a high frequency of hospitalization. Furthermore, research into the use of personal protective equipment and other injury prevention measures among Australian participants, particularly by young, male snowboarders, is required. Given the similar injury patterns, injury prevention measures implemented internationally could reasonably translate to an Australian setting.

Head injury trends and helmet use in skiers and snowboarders in Western Canada, 2008–2009 to 2012–2013: an ecological study

This research explored associations between helmet use and head injuries in snowsports by investigating reported snowsport injuries in Western Canada from 2008-2009 to 2012-2013. The key finding was that increased helmet use (from 69% to 80%) was not associated with a reduction in reported head injuries. Over the study period, the average rate of reported head injuries was 0.2/1000 skier visits, with a statistically significant variation (P<0.001). The line of best fit showed an non-significant upward trend (P=0.13). Lacerations were the only subcategory of head injuries that decreased significantly with helmet use. A higher proportion of people who reported a head injury were wearing a helmet than for injuries other than to the head. Skiers were more likely to report a head injury when wearing a helmet than snowboarders (P<0.001 cf. P=0.22). There were significant differences in characteristics of helmet and non-helmet wearers. Helmet wearers were more likely to be: young adults (P<0.001); beginner/novices (P=0.004); and snowboarders (P<0.001), but helmet wearing was not associated with gender (P=0.191). Further research is needed to explore the possible reasons for the failure of helmets to reduce head injuries, for example, increased reporting of head injuries and increased risk-taking combined with over-rating of the helmets' protection.

Recreational Snow-Sports Injury Risk Factors and Countermeasures: A Meta-Analysis Review and Haddon Matrix Evaluation.

Snow sports (alpine skiing/snowboarding) would benefit from easily implemented and cost-effective injury prevention countermeasures that are effective in reducing injury rate and severity. For snow sports, to identify risk factors and to quantify evidence for effectiveness of injury prevention countermeasures. Searches of electronic literature databases to February 2014 identified 98 articles focused on snow sports that met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently reviewed. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 90% confidence intervals (CIs) and inferences (percentage likelihood of benefit/harm) were calculated using data from 55 studies using a spreadsheet for combining independent groups with a weighting factor based on quality rating scores for effects. More experienced skiers and snowboarders are more likely to sustain an injury as a result of jumps, while beginners sustain injuries primarily as a result of falls. Key risk factors that countermeasure interventions should focus on include, beginner skiers (OR 2.72; 90% CI 2.15-3.44, 99% most likely harmful), beginner snowboarders (OR 2.66; 90% CI 2.08-3.40, 99% harmful), skiers/snowboarders who rent snow equipment (OR 2.58; 90% CI 1.98-3.37, 99% harmful) and poor visibility due to inclement weather (OR 2.69; 90% CI 1.43-5.07, 97% harmful). Effective countermeasures include helmets for skiers/snowboarders to prevent head injuries (OR 0.58; 90% CI 0.51-0.66, 99% most likely beneficial), and wrist guards for snowboarders to prevent wrist injuries (OR 0.33; 90% CI 0.23-0.47, 99% beneficial). The review identified key risk factors for snow-sport injuries and evaluated the evidence for the effectiveness of existing injury prevention countermeasures in recreational (general public use of slopes, not racing) snow sports using a Haddon's matrix conceptual framework for injury causation (host/snow-sport participant, agent/mechanism and environment/community). Best evidence for the effectiveness of injury prevention countermeasures in recreational snow sports was for the use of helmets and wrist guards and to address low visibility issues via weather reports and signage.

Australian hospital admission and emergency department-reported snow sports injuries: A summary of the past decade

Australian hospital admission and emergency department-reported snow sports injuries: A summary of the past decade

The ski doctor

Mike Langran is a GP at the only UK practice that treats substantial numbers of snow sports injuries

Investigating risk factors in paediatric snowsport injuries: Characterisation of head impacts

Investigating risk factors in paediatric snowsport injuries: Characterisation of head impacts

Investigating characteristics of head impacts in paediatric snowsport participants: The application of the Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System™ and the GPSports SpiElite data logging device

Introduction: It has been suggested that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in snowsports have been increasing in frequency and that TBI is the leading cause of death and serious impairment in skiing and snowboarding, yet debate continues about the effectiveness of current helmet designs in preventing snowsport injuries, particularly in incidents at speeds higher than 23km/h, the current international standard maximum impact velocity for helmets. The concept that the helmet is potentially a “risk enabler” that encourages behaviours that would not occur if the participant was not wearing a helmet has been proposed i.e.

Searching hospital discharge records for snow sport injury: no easy run?

When using hospital discharge data to shape sports injury prevention policy, it is important to correctly identify cases. The objectives of this study were to examine the ease with which snow-skiing and snowboarding injury cases could be identified from national hospital discharge data and to assess the suitability of the information obtained for shaping policy. Hospital discharges for 2000–2004 were linked to compensated claims and searched sequentially using coded and narrative information. One thousand three hundred seventy-six eligible cases were identified, with 717 classified as snowboarding and 659 as snow-skiing. For the most part, cases could not be identified and distinguished using simple searches of coded data; keyword searches of narratives played a key role in case identification but not in describing the mechanism of injury. Identification and characterisation of snow sport injury from in-patient discharge records is problematic due to inadequacies in the coding systems and/or their implementation. Narrative reporting could be improved.