Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
##common.pageHeaderLogo.altText##

Original article

Vol. 141 No. 4344 (2011)

Do alpine skiers and snowboarders wear protective equipment more often after an accident?

  • RM Hasler
  • J Benz
  • LM Benneker
  • B Kleim
  • S Dubler
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2011.13283
Cite this as:
Swiss Med Wkly. 2011;141:w13283
Published
24.10.2011

Summary

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY/PRINCIPLES: Analysis of changes in the behaviour of wearing protective equipment by alpine skiers and snowboarders after injury, performed at a level I trauma centre in Switzerland.

METHODS: We present a study, using a standardised questionnaire, assessing behaviour on ski slopes by adult patients admitted between Oct 2007 and April 2008. Patients were re-interviewed after the 2008/2009 season. McNemar tests were used to analyse differences in protective clothing wearing rates between the two seasons. Multiple logistic regression with age, gender and injury severity score (ISS) as predictors, was used to compare findings in those who started wearing protective equipment and those who did not.

RESULTS: A total of 104/132 patients from the 2007/2008 season were questioned about wearing protective equipment in 2008/2009. 20 patients could not be reassessed (7 declined, 13 had abandoned winter sports). A total of 84 patients were reassessed (61 alpine skiers and 23 snowboarders). The median age of participants was 39 years and 70.2% were male. Helmet and back protector wearing rates increased from 40.5% to 78.6% (p <0.001) and from 14.3% to 23.8% (p = 0.021), respectively. Snowboarders more than doubled their helmet wearing rate (39.1% to 82.6%, p = 0.002). Skiers showed a trend towards doubling their back protector wearing rate (6.6% to 14.8%, p = 0.063). Younger skiers started wearing back protectors more often than older skiers.

CONCLUSIONS: Sustained injury might provide skiers and snowboards with a potent trigger to change their attitude towards the use of protective equipment. The psychological processes influencing the use of protective equipment require further investigation.

References

  1. bfu. [ http://www.bfu.ch ] Bern: Swiss Council for Accident Prevention. [updated 2011 Jul 4; cited 2011 Jul 4]. Available from: http://www.bfu.ch/German/medien/Seiten/2007_11_22.aspx
  2. Franz T, Hasler RM, Benneker L, Zimmermann H, Siebenrock KA, Exadaktylos AK. Severe spinal injuries in alpine skiing and snowboarding: a 6-year review of a tertiary trauma centre for the Bernese Alps ski resorts, Switzerland. Br J Sports Med. 2008;42(1):55–8.
  3. Hasler RM, Dubler S, Benneker LM, Berov S, Spycher J, Heim D, et al. Are there risk factors in alpine skiing? A controlled multicentre survey of 1278 skiers. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(13):1020–5.
  4. Hasler RM, Berov S, Benneker L, Dubler S, Spycher J, Heim D, et al. Are there risk factors for snowboard injuries? A case-control multicentre study of 559 snowboarders. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(11):816–21.
  5. bfu. [ http://www.bfu.ch ] Bern: Swiss Council for Accident Prevention. [updated 2011 Jul 4; cited 2011 Jul 4]. Available from: http://www.bfu.ch/English/statistik/Pages/Statistik.aspx
  6. http://www.suva.ch/home/suvaliv/kampagnen/check_the_risk_uebersicht.htm (last accessed 14/03/2011)
  7. Jung CS, Zweckberger K, Schick U, Unterberg AW. Helmet use in winter sport activities-attitude and opinion of neurosurgeons and non-traumatic-brain-injury-educated persons. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2011;153(1):101–6.
  8. Von Elm E, Osterwalder JJ, Graber C, Schoettker P, Stocker R, Zangger P, et al. Severe traumatic brain injury in Switzerland - feasibility and first results of a cohort study. Swiss Med Wkly. 2008;138(23-24):327–34.
  9. Committee on Injury Scaling, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). The abbreviated injury scale 2008 revision. Des Plaines, Chicago: AAAM; 2008.
  10. bfu. [ http://www.bfu.ch ] Bern: Swiss Council for Accident Prevention. [updated 2011 Jul 4; cited 2011 Jul 4]. Available from: http://www.bfu.ch/German/Statistikverwaltung%20PDFs/PDF2010/D_VSP_T_10.pdf
  11. bfu. [ http://www.bfu.ch ] Bern: Swiss Council for Accident Prevention. [updated 2011 Jul 4; cited 2011 Jul 4]. Available from: http://www.bfu.ch/German/Statistikverwaltung%20PDFs/PDF2010/D_VSP_T_11.pdf
  12. Russel K, Christie J, Hagel BE. The effects of helmets on the risk of head and neck injuries among skiers and snowboarders: a meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2010;182:333–40.
  13. Cusimano MD, Kwok J. The effectiveness of helmet wear in skiers and snowboarders: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(11):781–6.
  14. Schmitt KU, Liechti B, Michel FI, Stämpfli R, Brühwiler PA. Are current back protectors suitable to prevent spinal injury in recreational snowboarders? Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(11):822–6.
  15. Insidesurgery.com. Pennsylvania: Marcucci L, MD. [updated 2009 Mar 20; cited 2011 Jul 4]. Available from: http://www.insidesurgery.com/natasha-richardsons-death-a-helmet-might-have-saved-her/
  16. Weber EU, Johnson EJ. Mindful judgment and decision making. Ann Rev Psychol. 2009;60:53–85.
  17. Clarke VA, Lovegrove H, Williams A, Macpherson M. Unrealistic optimism and the health belief model. J Behav Med. 2000;23;367–76.