Acrobatics on snow lead to rise in deaths and injuries |
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Tuesday, 04 December 2007 |
Foolhardy skiers and snowboarders face a growing risk of death and serious
injury, according to research published today.
While the general injury rate among winter sports enthusiasts has declined
since the 1970s, largely as a result of better equipment, the risks of serious
injuries appears to be increasing, say a group of Canadian doctors led by
Charles Tator, of Toronto Western Hospital.
The team looked at 24 studies from ten countries and found that traumatic
brain injuries and spinal cord injuries were increasing. Men were more likely to
be hurt than women, and the authors blame increased speeds and a growing
tendency for people to jump and perform acrobatic manoeuvres. Snowboarders
appear to be at greater hazard than skiiers, they conclude in Injury Prevention.
One Norwegian report found that snowboarders were three to four times as likely
to suffer injury, while a Canadian study found that they were 50 per cent more
likely to have head and neck injuries.
read the full article at TimesOnline.co.uk
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