Citation

Hasler RM, Dubler S, Benneker L, Berov S, Spycher J, Heim D, Zimmermann H, Exadaktylos AK. Br. J. Sports Med. 2009; 43(13): 1020-1025.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland;

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsm.2009.064741

PMID

19846420

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Analyse risk factors in alpine skiing. DESIGN: A controlled multicentre survey of injured and non-injured alpine skiers. SETTING: One tertiary and two secondary trauma centres in Bern, Switzerland. Patients and METHODS: All injured skiers admitted from November 2007 - April 2008 were analysed with a completed questionnaire incorporating 15 parameters. The same questionnaire was distributed to non-injured controls. Multiple logistic regression was performed. Patterns of combined risk factors were calculated by inference trees. A total of 782 patients and 496 controls were interviewed. RESULTS: Parameters significant for the PATIENTS: High readiness for risk (p=0.0365,OR 1.84,CI 1.04-3.27), low readiness for speed (p=0.0008,OR 0.29,CI 0.14-0.60), no aggressive behaviour on slopes (p<0.0001,OR 0.19,CI 0.09-0.37), new skiing equipment (p=0.0228,OR 59,CI 0.37-0.93), warm-up performed (p=0.0015,OR 1.79,CI 1.25-2.57), old snow compared to fresh snow (p=0.0155,OR 0.31,CI 0.12-0.80), old snow compared to artificial snow (p=0.0037,OR 0.21,CI 0.07-0.60), powder snow compared to slush snow (p=0.0035,OR 0.25,CI 0.10-0.63), drug consumption (p=0.0044,OR 5.92,CI 1.74-20.11) and alcohol abstinence (p<0.0001,OR 0.14,CI 0.05-0.34). Three groups at risk were detected: (1) warm-up 3-12min., VASspeed >4 and bad weather/visibility, (2) VASspeed 4-7, icy slopes and not wearing a helmet, (3) warm-up >12min. and new skiing equipment. CONCLUSIONS: Low speed, high readiness for risk, new skiing equipment, old and powder snow as well as drug consumption are significant risk factors when skiing. Future work should aim at more precise identification of specific groups at risk and at developing recommendations, e.g. a snow-weather index at valley stations.

Language: en