Changes in technique throughout a 1500-m speed skating time-trial in junior elite athletes: Differences between sexes, performance levels and competitive seasons.

Speed skating is a technical endurance sport. Still, little is known about technical changes in junior speed skaters. Therefore, changes in technique throughout a 1500-m time-trial of elite junior speed skaters is investigated to explore differences between sexes, performance levels and competitive seasons. At (inter)national 1500-m competitions, knee and push-off angles were obtained for 120 elite junior speed skaters (56 female, 64 male, age 17.6±1.1 years) per lap at 250m (lap 1), 650m (lap 2), 1050m (lap 3) and 1450m (lap 4). Additionally, 1500m end-times and lap-times were obtained to divide skaters in faster and slower performance groups and to analyze pacing behavior. Fifteen skaters (8 female, 7 male, age 17.3±1.5 years) were measured again after 1.6±0.6 years. (Repeated measures) ANOVAs were used for statistical analyses (p<0.05). ICC, determined in a pilot study, was 0.55 for knee and 0.76 for push-off angles. Elite junior speed skaters increased their knee angles throughout the race (p<0.005), regardless of sex (p = 0.110) or performance level (p = 0.714). Push-off angles increased from lap 1-3 (p<0.001), in which men showed a larger decay than female skaters (p<0.05), this holds for both performance groups (p = 0.103). Faster skaters had smaller knee and push-off angles than slower skaters (p<0.05). Males showed smaller body angles than females (p<0.001). Faster male and female skaters showed a relative slower start and faster lap 3 compared to slower skaters (p<0.05). Development over competitive seasons showed a shift towards smaller push-off angles (p = 0.038) and less decay in knee angles from lap 2-3 (p = 0.026). The present study shows that technique throughout the 1500m deteriorates. Deterioration in technique is regardless of performance level, even with different pacing behaviors. Differences between sexes were found for push-off angles. The longitudinal development suggests changes in technique towards senior level and highlights the importance of studying juniors separate from seniors.

Injury patterns in synchronized skating: a growing and evolving sport.

BACKGROUND: Data about injuries among synchronized skating athletes are lacking while physical demands in this sport discipline continue to grow. No injury data among junior synchronized skaters exist. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and pattern of injuries in junior and senior synchronized skaters. METHODS: In this descriptive epidemiology study anonymous questionnaires were distributed to synchronized junior and senior skaters. 708 synchronized skaters (393 juniors and 315 seniors) completed the questionnaire. Male skaters were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: Spinal conditions were reported by 148 (37.7%) juniors compared to 149 (47.3%) of senior skaters with statistically significant cumulative incidence (P=0.01); 23% of juniors and 30.2% of senior skaters reported problems with more than one spinal region; 64.4% juniors and 72.1% senior skaters reported at least one non-spinal injury during their synchronized skating career. There were 380 unique injuries reported by junior skaters and 363 by senior skaters. Lower extremity injuries were the most common injuries in both groups of skaters, followed by upper extremity, head and trunk injuries. From all the anatomical regions mentioned, there was only statistically significant difference between the groups in the occurrence of head injuries with senior skaters having 1.9 greater odds ratio to have head injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents new data on the current injury pattern seen in synchronized skating since the inclusion of new skills. The number of head injuries and spinal conditions show statistically significant cumulative incidence in senior compared to junior skaters.

Injuries associated with hoverboard use: A review of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.

INTRODUCTION: Hoverboards have become popular since they became available in 2015. We seek to provide an estimate of the number of injuries in the United States for 2015 and 2016, and to evaluate differences between adult and pediatric injury complexes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Using the weighted design of the NEISS, a nationally representative sample could be determined. RESULTS: During the 2 year period, there were 24,650 hoverboard related injuries (95% confidence interval [Cl], 17,635-31,664) in the US. The average age was 20.9 years old. There were 15,134 pediatric injuries (95%CI 9980-20,287) and 9515 adult injuries (95%CI 7185-11,845). Female patients compromised 51.2% of the sample. The upper extremity was the most common region injured [13,080 (95% CI 8848-17,311)] and fracture was the most common type of injury [10,074 (95% CI 6934-13,213)]. Hoverboard injuries increased from 2416 (95% CL 575-4245) in 2015 to 22,234 (95% CI 16,446-28,020) in 2016. Pediatric patients were more likely to be injured in the upper and lower extremity when compared to their adult cohort (p = 0.0031). Six percent of the cohort [1575 (95% CI 665-2485)] sustained critical injuries with pediatric patients being at 1.46 times higher risk for life threatening injuries. CONCLUSION: Emergency department (ED) visits for hoverboard related injuries appear to be increasing. Pediatric patients are more at risk for hoverboard related injuries than adults and almost 6% of ED visits involved critical injuries, highlighting that hoverboards may be more dangerous than previously recognized.

Pediatric Hoverboard and Skateboard Injuries.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of hoverboard injuries compared with skateboard injuries in children presenting to US emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: Data regarding hoverboard and skateboard injuries in children <18 years of age were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for calendar years 2015 and 2016. Data included demographics, body regions injured, and ED disposition. RESULTS: There were an estimated 26 854 hoverboard and 121 398 skateboard injuries treated in US EDs between 2015 and 2016. The mean and median ages for hoverboard and skateboard injuries were 11 and 13 years, respectively. In both groups, boys were more commonly injured. The majority of hoverboard injuries occurred at home, whereas skateboard injuries occurred on the street. The wrists were the most common injured body part, and fractures were the most common diagnosis in both groups. The majority of patients in both groups were discharged from the hospital. Approximately 3% of the patients with skateboard injuries and hoverboard injuries were admitted to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of injuries among hoverboard riders and skateboarders was similar. Fractures, contusions, and sprains and/or strains were the most common types of injuries in both riders. However, there was a higher number of sprains and/or strains in skateboarders when compared with hoverboard users. This difference may be attributed to the way users ride these boards. Fractures were the most common reason for hospital admission for both toys. By elucidating the characteristics of hoverboard injuries, preventive measures can be implemented to decrease the incidence of these injuries as well as ED visits.

Sun Exposure Habits and Sun Protection Practices of Skaters.

Beach activities and outdoor sports are risk factors for developing skin cancer. Skateboarding is among the most popular sports among adolescents. The aim was to analyse the sun exposure habits and sun protection practices of skaters, in comparison with corresponding sun exposure and protection practices on the beach. This cross-sectional study is based on health surveys carried out into sun exposure and protection practices among young skateboarders. The study population was composed of 102 skaters, of whom 84 (82.4 %) were male. Fifty-eight (56.8 %) of the participants reported having suffered at least one sunburn event the previous summer. Eighty-seven (91.6 %) said they practiced outdoor sports more than 90 days per year, while only six (6.1 %) spent this long at the beach. Forty-nine (52.1 %) practiced outdoor sports for 5 or more hours a day compared to 42 (43.3 %) who spent comparable periods at the beach. A long-sleeved shirt was worn more frequently during sports than at the beach. Keen skaters are a risk group for the development of skin cancer due to excessive sun exposure, high rates of sunburn and scant use of sun protection measures. Specific educational and behavioural interventions should be aimed at this risk group.

Jovens praticantes de skate e seu cotidiano / Young skateboarders their everyday / Jóvenes praticantes del skate y su vida cotidiana

Nessa pesquisa, focamos os jovens e seu cotidiano, trazendo elementos que discutem o lazer, família, educação e trabalho. Pesquisa realizada com um grupo de jovens skatistas, numa pista pública de skate na cidade de Porto Alegre - RS. Foram ao todo nove meses de observação direta, cada qual relatada em Diários de Campo. Procuramos compreender como o lazer dos jovens que se dava pela prática do skate, se relacionava como outros aspectos de seu cotidiano. Após concluir o trabalho, consideramos que - para se manter na prática do skate - os jovens necessitam conciliar as cobranças de suas famílias, além das rotulações e estereótipos impostas de fora do universo de praticantes desse esporte. Percebemos, ainda, que os jovens passam por tudo isso com o propósito de manter seus "projetos" no skate.

In this research, we focus on young people and their daily lives, bringing elements discussing leisure, family, education and work. Research conducted with a group of young skaters in a public track skating in the city of Porto Alegre - RS. In a total nine months of direct observation, each reported in Field Diaries. We seek to understand how the leisure of young people who gave the practice of skateboarding, was related to other aspects of their daily lives. After completing the work, we consider that - to remain in practice the skateboard - young people needed to reconcile the charges of their families, in addition to labels and stereotypes imposed from "outside" the universe of practitioners of this sport. We noticed also that young people go through all this in order to keep their "projects" on the skateboard.

En esta investigación, nos centramos en los jóvenes y su vida diaria, con lo que los elementos en discusiones sobre ocio, la familia, la educación y el trabajo. Investigaciones llevadas a cabo con un grupo de jóvenes praticantes del skate en una pista de patinaje pública en la ciudad de Porto Alegre - RS. En un total de nueve meses de la observación directa, cada informó en Diarios de Campo. Buscamos entender cómo el ocio de los jóvenes que dieron a la práctica de skate, estaba relacionada con otros aspectos de su vida cotidiana. Después de completar el trabajo, consideramos que - permanezca en la práctica el consejo - los jóvenes necesitan para conciliar los cargos de sus familias, además de etiquetas y estereotipos impuestos desde "fuera" del universo de los practicantes de este deporte. Notamos también que los jóvenes pasar por todo esto con el fin de mantener sus "proyectos" en el skate.

O segredo do sucesso: apontamentos sobre a trajetória social de skatistas profissionais / El secreto del succeso: apuntes sobre la trayectoria social de skatistas profesionales / The secret of success: notes on the social trajectory of professional skaterboarders

Este artigo aponta, a partir de casos concretos, para elementos acerca da trajetória social de skatistas que lograram estar no subuniverso dos patrocínios. Em se tratando de skate, isso significa praticamente a única possibilidade de profissionalização. São considerados detalhes da constituição e do funcionamento do campo do skate em sua totalidade e da vida dos informantes, de seu caminho para incorporar disposições e capitais válidos no contexto do skate. Os dados utilizados são provenientes de técnicas de pesquisa como a entrevista semiestruturada, a observação participante e a coleta de documentos.

The aim of this article is to look at specific real life cases of the social trajectory of skateboarders, who managed their skateboarding career whilst not being in the mainstream of sponsorship. In skateboarding sponsorship is almost the only viable means to be professionally and thus financially stable. This study is done by taking into consideration: the ins and outs of the skateboarding world, the lives of the people involved in the sport, and the means with which they exercise and manage their chosen profession. The data utilized is derived from techniques of research such as: semi structured interviews, participant observation and document-based research.

Este articulo trata de levantar, apartir de hechos concretos, elementos acerta de la trayectoria social de skatistas que lograron estar en el submundo de los patrocinios. Eso significa practicamente la unica posibilidad de profesionalización. Son considerados detalles de la constituición y del funcionamiento de la rama del skate en su totalidad y de la vida de los informantes y de su camino para incorporar disposiciones y capitales validos en el contexto del skate, los datos utilizados son provenientes de técnicas de pesquisa como la entrevista semiestructurada, las observaciones participantes y la colecta de documentos.

Heelys and street gliders injuries: a new type of pediatric injury.

OBJECTIVES: Our goals were to highlight an increasing trend in orthopedic injuries in children as a result of "heeling" or "street gliding," to describe injuries sustained by children using Heelys (HSL, Carrollton, TX) and Street Gliders (Glowgadgets Ltd, Bristol, United Kingdom), and to increase public awareness and prevent such injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively recorded the data of all roller shoes injuries referred to our department during the summer school holiday. Using a data-collection sheet, we recorded demographic data, type of injury, mechanism and place of injury, heeling or street-gliding experience, use of safety equipment, methods of treatment, and intention to continue heeling or street gliding after recovery from injury. RESULTS: Over a 10-week period, 67 children suffered orthopedic injuries while using Heelys or Street Gliders. There were 56 girls and 11 boys with a mean age of 9.6 years. Upper limbs were the most common location of injury. Distal radius fractures were the most prevalent, followed by supracondylar fractures, elbow dislocations, and hand fractures. The majority of children suffered the injury while heeling or street gliding outdoors. Interestingly, 20% of the injuries happened while trying Heelys or Street Gliders for the first time, and 36% of the injuries occurred while learning (using 1-5 times) how to use them. None of the children used any sort of protective gear at the time of the injury. The majority of the injured children expressed their intention to continue heeling or street gliding after complete recovery from their injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the majority of children with injuries from heeling or street gliding are girls. We recommend close supervision of children using Heelys or Street Gliders during the steep learning curve and usage of protective gear at all times. These new types of injuries have a serious impact on child health and constitute a burden for the pediatric orthopedic service.

[Injury patterns and prophylaxis in inline skating]. / Verletzungsmuster und -prophylaxe beim Inlineskating.

Inline skating has become one of the fastest growing sports since its appearance in 1980. The increasing number of inline skaters has also led to a rising incidence of injuries. The most common injury is the distal fracture of the radius, which occurs in 50% of all fractures. There are several reasons for increasing serious injuries in inline skating. The majority of skaters do not wear proper protective equipment (helmet, elbow, knee and wrist protectors), however, many users can not handle their inline skates in dangerous situations. All skaters should take care by buying industrially tested inline skates and appropriate protective equipment; novice skaters should additionally attend special skating schools to learn skating, braking and the the correct falling techniques.