Well, we've got a pretty good start to the skiing and boarding season! (To say nothing of some pretty sorely needed precipitation.)This article relates some pretty interesting findings in sports-related medicine and may help to prevent avoidable injuries.
Surprise (sorta) findings:
- Average age of injured skier: 40. Mostly men, and mostly at low speeds.
- Contrary to popular stereotype, snowboarders were not found to be slamming into skiers; skiers were found to be sliding downhill into snowboarders during failed attempts to stop.
- Wearing a helmet helps to reduce head and brain injuries in low-speed accidents.
- Buying boots big enough for your child to "grow into them" increased injuries in children. This is because the binding release mechanism doesn't release as well when there's a lot of leeway for foot movement within the boot.
- Drug use while on the slopes increased injury.
- Wearing a helmet while hitting a tree at 30 mph did not save heads. The idea is wear a helmet, but don't hit a tree.
- Improved bindings reduced shinbone fractures.
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