A comparison of recreational skiing- and snowboarding-related injuries at a Colorado ski resort, 2012/13-2016/17 |
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| Authors: | Lauren A. Pierpoint Zachary Y. Kerr Tessa L. Crume Gary K. Grunwald R. Dawn Comstock Darcy K. Selenke |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Epidemiology, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO, USA;2. Center for Outcomes-based Orthopaedic Research, Steadman Philippon Research Institute , Vail, CO, USA lpierpoint@sprivail.org;4. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, NC, USA;5. Department of Epidemiology, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO, USA;6. Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO, USA;7. Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora, CO, USA;8. Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Denver, CO, USA |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to compare injury patterns between recreational skiers and snowboarders. Injured skiers (n = 3,961) and snowboarders (n = 2,428) presented to a mountainside medical clinic, 2012/13-2016/17. Variables investigated for analysis included demographics/characteristics, injury event information, and injury information. Skiers were older than snowboarders (34.3 ± 19.3 vs. 23.2 ± 10.5 years, p < 0.001); a greater proportion of skiers were female (46.3% vs. 27.8%, p < 0.001). Most skiers (84.4%) and snowboarders (84.5%) were helmeted at the time of injury (p = 0.93). Snowboarders were most frequently beginners (38.9%), skiers were intermediates (37.8%). Falls to snow (skiers = 72.3%, snowboarders = 84.8%) and collisions with natural objects (skiers = 9.7%, snowboarders = 7.4%) were common injury mechanisms. Common skiing injuries were knee sprains (20.5%) and head trauma (8.9%); common snowboarding injuries were wrist fractures (25.7%), shoulder separations (9.1%), and head trauma (9.0%). Given that injury patterns significantly differ between sports, it is important for clinicians, ski patrollers, and resorts to develop and deliver sport-specific injury prevention interventions to most effectively decrease injury burden. |
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| Keywords: | Skiing snowboarding injury epidemiology |
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