Helmet Use in Preventing Head Injuries in Bicycling, Snow Sports, and Other Recreational Activities and Sports.

Recreational activities and sports are a common and popular way for youth to enjoy physical activity; however, there are risks related to physical injury. Injuries can potentially result in death and long-term disability, especially from traumatic brain injury. Helmet use can significantly decrease the risk of fatal and nonfatal head injury, including severe traumatic brain injury and facial injuries when participating in recreational sports. The most robust evidence of helmet effectiveness has been demonstrated with bicycling and snow sports (eg, skiing, snowboarding). Despite this evidence, helmets are not worn consistently with all recreational sports. A multipronged approach is necessary to increase helmet use by children and youth participating in recreational sports. This approach includes legislation and enforcement, public educational campaigns, child education programs, and anticipatory guidance from clinicians. This policy statement guides clinicians, public health advocates, and policymakers on best practices for increasing helmet use in recreational sports, including bicycling and snow sports.

Sledding Accidents at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center Between 2006 and 2016.

BACKGROUND: Sledding is not a risk-free winter sport. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 13,954 sledding accidents requiring medical care in 2010. However, specific information concerning pediatric injuries related to sledding is not well defined. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the most common types of injuries associated with sledding accidents and demographic factors related to risk of injury in pediatric patients, and to compare injuries associated with 2 different age groups and sexes. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study of pediatric patients (<18 years of age) presenting to a regional level I pediatric trauma center secondary to a sledding injury between 2006 and 2016. Demographic information including sex, age, mechanism of injury, and injury severity score was captured and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: There were 209 patients identified for 10 years. There were no mortalities. There were 85 patients with primary head injury, of which 82 (96.5%) were hospitalized and 33 (38.8%) required an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Seventy-five patients primarily suffered from extremity injuries, of which 56 (74.6%) had lower extremity fractures requiring operative intervention. There was no difference in ICU or length of stay between younger children (0-11 years) and adolescents (12-18 years) or between male and female patients. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood sledding can result in a variety of significant injuries requiring surgical intervention and hospitalization. Children pulled on sleds behind motorized vehicles are at higher risk for more severe injuries resulting in a higher rate of ICU admission.

[Das unterschätzte Verletzungsrisiko beim Freizeitschlittenfahren]. / Das unterschätzte Verletzungsrisiko beim Rodeln im Freizeitsport.

BACKGROUND: Sledding is generally considered to be a relatively harmless winter leisure activity. The increased incidence of injuries, some of them severe, in our emergency department in the catchment area of several sledding slopes prompted an analysis of this patient population with respect to frequency and severity of injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on the hospital documentation system, a retrospective evaluation of all emergency department visits in the winters 2016-2019 was performed. The words "sled", "sledge", "bob", "sledding", "sleighing", "sledging" were used as keywords, and the recorded data were analyzed with respect to outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, inpatient treatment days, treatment days in the intensive care unit, number of necessary operations, injury patterns, and injury severity. RESULTS: A total of 175 injured patients were recorded over the 3­year period. In 94 patients (54%) the injury was classified as mild, 70 patients (40%) required inpatient treatment with an average length of stay of 8 days, resulting in a total of 590 inpatient treatment days. Surgical treatment was given to 49 (28%) of the injured with a total of 66 operations, 81 patients suffered from severe injuries up to multiple trauma with an injury severity score (ISS) of 34. DISCUSSION: The study demonstrates that sledding has a significantly higher injury potential than generally assumed and that the resulting costs and consequences of accidents are relevant. Especially on the designated sledge slopes, an increase in safety standards could be achieved through appropriate measures and rules.

Optimizing the regulation and control of sports injury and fatigue of winter olympic ice and snow athletes based on injury prevention / Otimização da regulação e controle de lesões esportivas e fadiga de atletas do gelo e da neve nos jogos olímpicos de inverno com base na prevenção de lesões / Optimización del control de lesiones deportivas y fatiga de los atletas de hielo y nieve en los juegos olímpicos de invierno basada en la prevención de lesiones deportivas

ABSTRACT This study reveals the characteristics and relationship of sports injury and fatigue of the Winter Olympics athletes, and monitors the athletes' psychological condition through case analysis of excellent athletes, and provides empirical evidence for athletes' psychological training and preparation for the physical and mental health services of Winter Olympics. Through questionnaires, literature review and other methods to study the injury situation of Winter Olympics ice and snow athletes, the results show that the proportion of chronic lumbar and knee joint injuries, and repeated muscle strains of Chinese Winter Olympics ice and snow athletes is large, and the cure rate is not high. The preparation activities are neither paid enough attention or sufficient, and the rationality of training plan arrangement is insufficient. The main cause of injury is insufficient understanding of the mechanism of injury and illness among athletes and coaches. Individual elite athletes need to improve their coping skills and pay attention to their psychological fatigue. In view of the sports' psychological characteristics and the problems faced by winter athletes, personalized psychological intervention programs should be formulated.

RESUMO O presente estudo revela as características e a relação de lesões desportivas e fadiga de atletas participantes dos Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno, e monitora as condições psicológicas dos atletas através da análise de casos de atletas de alto desempenho, além de apresentar provas empíricas para o treino e a preparação psicológico dos atletas para os serviços de saúde física e mental dos Jogos de Inverno. Através de questionários, revisão de literatura e outros métodos de estudo das lesões que acometem os atletas dos Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno, em esportes que envolvem gelo e neve, os resultados mostram que é grande a proporção de lesões lombares crônicas, lesões articulares do joelho e recorrência de distensões musculares, e a taxa de cura não é alta. As atividades de preparação não são suficientemente consideradas e a racionalidade do plano de treinos é insuficiente. A principal causa de lesão é a falta de compreensão dos mecanismos que ocasionam lesões e enfermidades entre atletas e treinadores. Atletas individuais de elite precisam melhorar suas habilidades de enfrentamento e prestar atenção à sua fadiga psicológica. Tendo em conta as características psicológicas desportivas e os problemas existentes entre os atletas dos Jogos de Inverno, programas de intervenção psicológica personalizados devem ser formulados.

RESUMEN A través del análisis de casos de atletas de élite, este trabajo revela las características y la relación entre las lesiones deportivas y la fatiga de los atletas en los Juegos Olímpicos de invierno, monitorea el estado psicológico de los atletas y proporciona evidencia empírica para el entrenamiento psicológico de los atletas y la preparación del Servicio de salud física y mental En los Juegos Olímpicos de invierno.Juegos Olímpicos.Los resultados mostraron que la proporción de lesiones crónicas de la cintura y la rodilla y la tensión muscular repetida de los atletas de hielo y nieve en los Juegos Olímpicos de invierno en China era mayor.La tasa de curación no es alta.No se presta suficiente atención a las actividades preparatorias y a la racionalidad del plan de capacitación.La razón principal de la lesión es que los atletas y entrenadores no entienden el mecanismo de la lesión y la enfermedad.Los atletas individuales deben mejorar su capacidad de enfrentamiento y prestar atención a la fatiga psicológica.De acuerdo con las características psicológicas de los atletas de invierno y los problemas existentes, se formula un plan de Intervención Psicológica individualizado.

Impact Performance Comparison of Advanced Snow Sport Helmets with Dedicated Rotation-Damping Systems.

Rotational acceleration of the head is a principal cause of concussion and traumatic brain injury. Several rotation-damping systems for helmets have been introduced to better protect the brain from rotational forces. But these systems have not been evaluated in snow sport helmets. This study investigated two snow sport helmets with different rotation-damping systems, termed MIPS and WaveCel, in comparison to a standard snow sport helmet without a rotation-damping system. Impact performance was evaluated by vertical drops of a helmeted Hybrid III head and neck onto an oblique anvil. Six impact conditions were tested, comprising two impact speeds of 4.8 and 6.2 m/s, and three impact locations. Helmet performance was quantified in terms of the linear and rotational kinematics, and the predicted probability of concussion. Both rotation-damping systems significantly reduced rotational acceleration under all six impact conditions compared to the standard helmet, but their effect on linear acceleration was less consistent. The highest probability of concussion for the standard helmet was 89%, while helmets with MIPS and WaveCel systems exhibited a maximal probability of concussion of 67 and 7%, respectively. In conclusion, rotation-damping systems of advanced snow sport helmets can significantly reduce rotational head acceleration and the associated concussion risk.

High incidence of injuries at the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games: a prospective cohort study of 6804 athlete days.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of sports injury at the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. METHODS: 567 athletes from 49 countries were monitored daily for 12 days over the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games (6804 athlete days). Injury data were obtained daily from teams with their own medical support (41 teams and 557 athletes) and teams without their own medical support (8 teams and 10 athletes) through two electronic data capturing systems. RESULTS: 112 of 567 athletes (19.8%) reported a total of 142 injuries, with an injury incidence rate (IR) of 20.9 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 17.4 to 25.0). The highest IR was reported for para snowboard (IR of 40.5 per 1000 athlete days [95% CI 28.5 to 57.5]; p<0.02), particularly in the lower limb and head/face/neck anatomical areas. Across all sports at the Games, acute traumatic injuries (IR of 16.2 per 1000 athlete days [95% CI 13.2 to 19.8]) and injuries to the shoulder/arm/elbow complex (IR of 5.7 per 1000 athlete days [95% CI 4.2 to 7.8]) were most common. However, most injuries (78.9%) did not require time loss. CONCLUSION: The new Paralympic Winter Games sport of Para snowboard requires attention to implement actions that will reduce injury risk. The shoulder was the most injured single joint-a consistent finding in elite para sport.

Dual-energy CT characterization of winter sports injuries.

CT is a readily available imaging modality for cross-sectional characterization of acute musculoskeletal injuries in trauma. Dual-energy CT provides several additional benefits over conventional CT, namely assessment for bone marrow edema, metal artifact reduction, and enhanced assessment of ligamentous injuries. Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and skating can result in high speed and high energy injury mechanisms; dual-energy CT is well suited for the characterization of those injuries.

Orthopaedic injuries from snowmobile accidents: a multi-centre analysis of demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes.

PURPOSE: More than 2 million people in North America use snowmobiles, resulting in an estimated 200 fatalities and 14,000 injuries annually. The purpose of this study is to document the demographics, orthopaedic injury patterns, and short-term outcomes of patients with snowmobile-related injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at two regional trauma centres in a region where snowmobile use is prevalent. Patients who sustained snowmobile-related injuries over a 12-year period were identified from the hospitals' trauma registries using E-codes (E820-E820.9). Patient demographics were recorded, as were injury characteristics including rates of substance use, open fractures, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) for the extremities, and mortality. Rates of inpatient surgery, as well as hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS), were also recorded. RESULTS: We identified 528 patients with snowmobile-related injuries. Average age was 37 years, and 418 patients (79%) were male. Eighty-eight per cent of all patients with snowmobile injuries were admitted to the hospital with an average LOS of 5.7 days. Among those admitted to the hospital, average ISS was 12.3, and 28% of these patients had ISS > 15. A total of 261 patients (56%) suffered extremity injuries (including 163 upper and 173 lower extremity fractures) with an average extremity AIS of 2.4. There were 700 total fractures (1.5 per patient), and 9% of all fractures were open. A total of 208 patients (45%) suffered head injuries, and 132 patients (28%) sustained vertebral column fractures. A total of 201 patients (43%) required inpatient surgery, and eight patients (1.7%) sustained fatal injuries. CONCLUSIONS: We present a detailed multi-centre analysis of orthopaedic injury patterns and outcomes resulting from snowmobile-related injuries. Patients injured while snowmobiling share similar injury patterns with patients injured in motorcycle and other high-energy motor vehicle accidents.

Snowsport experience, expertise, lower limb injury and somatosensory ability.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research demonstrates that a history of ankle injuries increases the risk of overall future injuries, and that somatosensory scores are correlated to sport performance. This research explores the relationship between lower limb somatosensory scores in snowsport participants and ankle injury history; and the relationship between lower limb somatosensory scores and Instructor qualification. DESIGN AND METHODS: Experienced snowsport participants who were recruited through a western Canadian snowsport school completed a questionnaire that included their ankle injury history, the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (idFAI), the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), and their current instructor qualification level, as a proxy for sport performance. Lower limb somatosensory was assessed using the active movement extent discrimination assessment (AMEDA) method. RESULTS: Of the 75 participants, 55% reported at least one previous ankle injury. An independent sample t-test did not show any significant difference in somatosensory scores of those with an ankle injury history (x¯=.66, SD=.05) or not (x¯=.66, SD=.05). Nor was there any difference between those with a functionally unstable ankle (i.e. CAIT<24 and idFAI>11) and all others [x¯=.66, SD=.04 cf. x¯=.66, SD=.05; t(67)=.54, p=.78]. An ANOVA exploring the relationship between Instructor Qualification and somatosensory scores was significant at p<.05 [F(4, 68)=4.0, p=.006]. CONCLUSIONS: The results did not reveal any significant difference in perceived functional instability and somatosensory scores, which contrasts with previous research. The sport performance finding is consistent with previous work examining the relationship between somatosensory scores and sport performances. Further research is needed to explore if the dynamic snowsport working environment impacts ankle instability and somatosensory scores.

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

INTRODUCTION: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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%). CONCLUSIONS: 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.

[Causes of Accidents and Risk Factors Among Adults During Recreational Sledging (Tobogganing): a Retrospective Study]. / Unfallursachen und Risikofaktoren bei erwachsenen Rodlern: eine retrospektive Studie.

Background Recreational sledging (tobogganing) is a very popular winter sport in Alpine regions. Ascending and sledging down on the same track, however, might be associated with a certain risk of injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gather data on the causes of accidents and potential risk factors during recreational sledging. Methods Adults indulging in recreational sledging were interviewed between March 2013 and March 2015 at six public sledging tracks in the environs of the city of Innsbruck (Tyrol, Austria) on demographics, skill level, sledging frequency, risk-taking behavior, use of protective gear, type of sledge used, previous sledging-related injuries, injured body parts and causes of accidents. Interviews were conducted on all days of the week, mainly in the afternoon and in the evening. Results A total of 3612 adults riding a sled (51.1 % males, 48.9 % females; mean age: 37.0 ±â€Š14.4 years) participated in the present study. In total, 328 (9 %) participants reported a sledging-related injury. Injuries to lower extremities, arms, shoulder/back and head represented 41 %, 22 %, 11 %, and 10 %, respectively, of all sledging-related injuries. The most common causes of accidents were self-caused falls (35 %), collision with an object (23 %), and collision with another person (22 %). Sledging-related injuries in this study were associated with male sex, a higher sledging frequency, higher skill level, and risky behavior. In addition, those riding sledges who had suffered a previous injury were using more often a fast toboggan, wearing more often back protectors and wrist guards, had falls more often during sledging, and more often drank alcohol. Conclusion Based on these findings, we recommend that individuals should adapt their behavior according to track, view and weather conditions, take into consideration the crowd on the track, and abstain from alcohol.

Sports injuries and illnesses in the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Winter Games.

BACKGROUND: Injury and illness surveillance during high-level youth sports events is an important first step in health prevention and caretaking of the young elite athletes. AIM: To analyse injuries and illnesses that occurred during the 10 days 2nd Youth Olympic Winter Games (YOG), held in Lillehammer 2016. METHODS: We recorded the daily occurrence (or non-occurrence) of injuries and illnesses through the reporting of (1) all National Olympic Committee (NOC) medical teams and (2) the polyclinic and medical venues by the Lillehammer Organising Committee (LYOCOG) medical staff. RESULTS: In total, 1083 athletes (48 double-starters), 46% (n=502) of them females, from 70 NOCs were registered in the study. NOCs and LYOCOG reported 108 injuries and 81 illnesses, equalling to 9.5 injuries and 7.2 illnesses per 100 athletes. The percentage of injured athletes was highest in the snowboard and ski slopestyle and cross disciplines, alpine skiing and skeleton, and lowest in the Nordic skiing disciplines. Approximately, two-thirds of the injuries (n=71, 65.7%) prevented the athlete from training or competition, while 10 injuries (9.3%) were registered with an estimated absence from sport for >7 days. The rate of illness was highest in curling and the Nordic skiing disciplines with most of them being respiratory tract infections (81.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 9% of the athletes incurred at least one injury during the games, and 7% an illness, which is similar to the first YOG in Innsbruck 2012 and slightly lower compared with previous Winter Olympic Games. The incidence of injuries and illnesses varied substantially between sports.

Young people and snowmobiling in northern Norway: accidents, injury prevention and safety strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Snowmobiling among young people in Scandinavia frequently leads to accidents and injuries. Systematic studies of accidents exist, but few studies have addressed young drivers' experiences. The aim of this article is to reveal how young people experience and interpret accidents, and to outline a prevention strategy. METHODS: Thirty-one girls and 50 boys aged 16-23 years from secondary schools in Northern Norway and on Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, participated in 17 focus groups segregated by gender. A content analysis identified themes addressing the research questions. RESULTS: Participants described risk as being inherent to snowmobiling, and claimed that accidents followed from poor risk assessment, careless driving or mishaps. Evaluation of accidents and recommendations for preventive measures varied. Girls acknowledged the risks and wanted knowledge about outdoor life, navigation and external risks. Boys underestimated or downplayed the risks, and wanted knowledge about safety precautions while freeriding. Both genders were aware of how and why accidents occurred, and took precautions. Boys tended to challenge norms in ways that contradict the promotion of safe driving behaviour. Stories of internal justice regarding driving under the influence of alcohol occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are aware of how accidents occur and how to avoid them. Injury prevention strategies should include a general population strategy and a high-risk strategy targeted at extreme risk-seekers. Drivers, snowmobilers' organisations and the community should share local knowledge in an effort to define problem areas, set priorities and develop and implement preventive measures. Risk prevention should include preparation of safe tracks and focus on safety equipment and safe driving behaviour, but should also pay increased attention to the potential of strengthening normative regulation within peer groups regarding driving behaviour and mutual responsibility for preventing accidents.

[Traumatic hip dislocation after fall during sledging].

Traumatic hip dislocation is uncommon in children. Yet, it represents an orthopaedic emergency, because delayed treatment can lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In this case a four-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl were treated in an emergency department less than two weeks apart. They both received a posterior hip dislocation after accident during sledging. Their hips were reduced within six hours in the operating theatre, and the patients were discharged few days later. At the follow-up after six and 12 weeks both patients were doing well, and X-rays were normal.

High incidence of injury at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games. METHODS: A total of 547 athletes from 45 countries were monitored daily for 12 days during the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Daily injury data were obtained from teams with their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes) and teams without their own medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) through electronic data capturing systems. RESULTS: There were 174 total injuries reported, with an injury incidence rate (IR) of 26.5 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 22.7% to 30.8%). There was a significantly higher IR recorded in alpine skiing/snowboarding (IR of 41.1 (95% CI 33.7% to 49.6%) p=0.0001) compared to cross-country skiing/biathlon, ice sledge hockey or wheelchair curling. Injuries in the shoulder region were the highest single-joint IR (IR of 6.4 (95% CI 4.6% to 8.6%)), although total upper and lower body IR were similar (IR 8.5 vs 8.4 (95% CI 6.4% to 11.1%)). Furthermore, the IR of acute injuries was significantly higher than other types of injury onset (IR of 17.8 (95% CI 14.7% to 21.4%)). CONCLUSIONS: In a Winter Paralympic Games setting, athletes report higher injury incidence than do Olympic athletes or athletes in a Summer Paralympic Games setting. The highest incidence of injury was reported in the alpine skiing/snowboarding sporting category. There was a similar incidence of injury in the upper and lower limbs. The joint with the greatest rate of injury reported was the shoulder joint. Our data can inform injury prevention programmes and policy considerations regarding athlete safety in future Winter Paralympic Games.

The incidence and patterns of illness at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 6564 athlete days.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of illness at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games. METHODS: A total of 547 athletes from 45 countries were monitored daily for 12 days over the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games (6564 athlete days). Illness data were obtained daily from teams without their own medical support (13 teams, 37 athletes) and teams with their own medical support (32 teams, 510 athletes) through electronic data capturing systems. RESULTS: The total number of illnesses reported was 123, with an illness incidence rate (IR) of 18.7 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 15.1% to 23.2%). The highest IR was reported for wheelchair curling (IR of 20.0 (95% CI 10.1% to 39.6%)). Illnesses in the respiratory system (IR of 5.6 (95% CI 3.8% to 8.0%)), eye and adnexa (IR of 2.7 (95% CI 1.7% to 4.4%)) and digestive system (IR of 2.4 (95% CI 1.4% to 4.2%)) were the most common. Older athletes (35-63 years) had a significantly higher IR than younger athletes (14-25 years, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that Paralympic athletes report higher illness incidence rates compared to Olympic athletes at similar competitions. The highest rates of illness were reported for the respiratory and digestive systems, eye and adnexa, respectively. Thus, the results of this study form a basis for the identification of physiological systems at higher risk of illness, which can in turn inform illness prevention and management programmes with eventual policy change to promote athlete safety in future editions of the Winter Paralympic Games.

Ice Climbing Festival in Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Medical Management and Injury Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Sports ice climbing (SIC) is developing rapidly as an independent sport with Olympic potentials. To date there has been no prior systematic evaluation of injury risks and injury patterns in a SIC-specific setting. METHODS: This paper reports injury statistics collected during the Ice Climbing Festival, which was held during the XXII Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. More than 2500 amateur climbers and 53 professional athletes climbed during 16 days on a dry tooling lead-difficulty, and a 17-m vertical ice wall (grade M4/M5 or Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme [UIAA] V+/VI-). RESULTS: The injury incidence rates were 0.82/100 in lead-difficulty and 0.83/100 in speed ice climbing with an overall incidence rate of 0.83/100. The injury risk in amateur climbers was 248 injuries per 1000 hours of sports activities. There were no major accidents or fatalities during the event. SIC could be graded I according to UIAA Fatality Risk Classification. Penetrating and superficial soft tissue injuries (cuts and bruises) were the most common. The anteromedial aspects of the thigh and knee were the most typical injury locations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study provide an opportunity to compare injury patterns in SIC with what has previously been reported for traditional ice climbing. SIC has lower fatality risks, higher minor injury rates, and comparable injury severity to traditional ice climbing. The main limitation of our findings is that they were obtained on a population of amateur ice climbers with no previous experience. Further research should be performed to define injury risks in professional competitive ice climbers, and standard methodologies for reporting injuries should be considered.

Sports injuries and illnesses during the 2015 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival.

BACKGROUND: The prevention of injury and illness remains an important issue among young elite athletes. Systematic surveillance of injuries and illnesses during multi-sport events might provide a valuable basis to develop preventive measures, focusing especially on adequate information for youth athletes. AIM: To analyse the frequencies and characteristics of injuries and illnesses during the 2015 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (W-EYOF). METHODS: All National Olympic Committees were asked to report daily the occurrence or non-occurrence of newly sustained injuries and illnesses on a standardised reporting form. RESULTS: Among the 899 registered athletes (37% female) with a mean age of 17.1±0.8 years, a total of 38 injuries and 34 illnesses during the 5 competition days of the W-EYOF were reported, resulting in an incidence of 42.3 injuries and 37.8 illnesses per 1000 athletes, respectively. Injury frequency was highest in snowboard cross (11%), Nordic combined (9%), alpine skiing (6%), and ice hockey (6%), taking into account the respective number of registered athletes. In snowboard cross, females showed a significant higher injury frequency compared to males (22% vs 4%, p=0.033). The lower back (16%), the pelvis (13%), the knee (11%), and the face (11%) were the most common injury locations. About 58% of injuries occurred in competition and about 42% in training. In total, 42% of injuries resulted in an absence of training or competition. The prevalence of illness was highest in figure skating (10%) and Nordic combined (9%), and the respiratory system was affected most often (53%). CONCLUSIONS: Four per cent of the athletes suffered from an injury and 4% from illnesses during the 2015 W-EYOF, which is about twofold lower compared to the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012.