Helmet Study In Medical Journal

[Woodsy]

cant fiond the article yet,
but:

A study by Norwegian researchers found that alpine skiers and snowboarders who wore a proper helmet while participating in their respective sports had a 60 per cent lower risk of sustaining a head injury than those who wore no helmet.

"That means that six out of 10 head injuries could be avoided if everyone wore a helmet," said principal researcher Dr. Roald Bahr of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre. "If you're smart, wear a helmet - if you want to stay smart."

Internationally, skiers and snowboarders are required to wear a helmet to compete in World Cup and Olympic events. But Bahr said he knows of no country in the world where helmets are mandatory for recreational pursuers of the adrenalin-rush snow sports.

The lack of regulation is concerning to Bahr and others involved with the sports, especially when it comes to the gravity-defying flips and turns beloved of snowboarders, whose risk of head injury is 50 per cent higher than that of alpine skiers.

Head injuries from falls and collisions - smacking the head on the back of the snowboarders' half-pipe or smashing into a tree on a downhill ski run - can range from a nasty bump on the head to a concussion to severe head trauma.

"The ones we are worried about are the ones that affect the brain, and a concussion is the mildest type of a brain injury," Bahr said from Oslo. "And from then on it progresses towards more severe injuries where there is structural damage to the brain."

Not only can a severe head trauma leave a person physically and/or mentally disabled, it "can kill you," he said. An estimated eight per cent of skiers and snowboarders admitted to hospital for head injury die, the researchers report.

To conduct the study, Bahr's team analyzed reports from ski patrols at eight Norwegian alpine resorts involving more than 3,200 injured skiers and snowboarders and almost 3,000 non-injured controls interviewed during the 2002 winter season.

Head traumas accounted for 578 of the injuries (almost 18 per cent), 147 of them potentially severe. Using a helmet was associated with a 60 per cent reduced risk of head injury, the researchers found.

Younger skiers and boarders were more likely to wear helmets than older slope-goers, Bahr said. In the under-13 group, 85 per cent wore helmets; 20 per cent of those aged 13 to 20 donned the head gear, while just 13 per cent of those over 20 protected their skulls.

Overall, almost a quarter of males wore helmets compared to 19 per cent of females, said the study, published in Wednesday's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Interestingly, it was self-reported risk-takers who tended to wear helmets, although previous research had suggested it was "more careful people" who snapped on helmets, said Bahr.

some one asked for research, here's some

[vtdownhiller]

only 60%?...I would have thought that # would be higher...oh well, makes my decision not to wear one viable...I still have 40%!

[Odin]

Having spent time in a lodge (pre-helmet) at Alta with a concussion, I think that a helmet is a nice way of keeping me out on the slopes.

If that protective device keeps me seeing pow instead of seeing the inside of an emergency room it's worth it every time.

[teledave]

From Woodsy's quote;

"The lack of regulation is concerning to Bahr and others involved with the sports, especially when it comes to the gravity-defying flips and turns beloved of snowboarders, whose risk of head injury is 50 per cent higher than that of alpine skiers."

This is the sentence that worries me, you know it's leading to proposing regulation that all skiers & boarders wear a helmet. I wear a helmet 95% of the time, but I'd like to be able to leave it off on those warm, sunny, take it easy days occasionally too. Generally the legislators don't design that type of flexibility into any laws they make. Of course if it's only for snowboarders then I'm all for more regulations. ( )

[SkiingBear]

While my general belief is that you can fund a study to prove anything, in favor of either side of an argument, this study doesn't surprise me at all. Working on a patrol, I could have told you that helmets reduce the risk of head injury.

That said, if this is truly a land of freedom, I should have that choice left up to me...not some legislator that doesn't ski/bike/climb/ride a motorcycle.

[Woodsy]

While my general belief is that you can fund a study to prove anything, in favor of either side of an argument, this study doesn't surprise me at all. Working on a patrol, I could have told you that helmets reduce the risk of head injury.

That said, if this is truly a land of freedom, I should have that choice left up to me...not some legislator that doesn't ski/bike/climb/ride a motorcycle.

my personal and extrapolated anecdotal evidence, agrees too.
But poplewerealways saying "show me the research"
and I agree, no legislation.

[MeatPuppet]

That said, if this is truly a land of freedom, I should have that choice left up to me...not some legislator that doesn't ski/bike/climb/ride a motorcycle.

I could not agree more. I always wear a helmet, but I should have the freedom not to.

[Viva]

More:

BMJ. 2005 Feb 5;330(7486):281. Epub 2005 Jan 4.

Effectiveness of helmets in skiers and snowboarders: case-control and case crossover study.

Hagel BE, Pless IB, Goulet C, Platt RW, Robitaille Y.

Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 4075 RTF, 8308-114 Street, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E1. brent.hagel@ualberta.ca

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of helmets on the risk of head and neck injuries in skiers and snowboarders. DESIGN: Matched case-control and case crossover study. SETTING: 19 ski areas in Quebec, Canada, November 2001 to April 2002. PARTICIPANTS: 1082 skiers and snowboarders (cases) with head and neck injuries reported by the ski patrol and 3295 skiers and snowboarders (controls) with non-head or non-neck injuries matched to cases at each hill. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Estimates of matched odds ratios for the effect of helmet use on the risk of any head or neck injury and for people requiring evacuation by ambulance. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio for helmet use in participants with any head injury was 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.92), indicating a 29% reduction in the risk of head injury. For participants who required evacuation by ambulance for head injuries, the adjusted odds ratio for helmet use was 0.44 (0.24 to 0.81). Similar results occurred with the case crossover design (odds ratio 0.43, 0.09 to 1.83). The adjusted odds ratio for helmet use for participants with any neck injury was 0.62 (0.33 to 1.19) and for participants who required evacuation by ambulance for neck injuries it was 1.29 (0.41 to 4.04). CONCLUSIONS: Helmets protect skiers and snowboarders against head injuries. We cannot rule out the possibility of an increased risk of neck injury with helmet use, but the estimates on which this assumption is based are imprecise.

[Viva]

Matt, here's the abstract from the paper you mentioned:

Vol. 295 No. 8, February 22, 2006

Helmet Use and Risk of Head Injuries in Alpine Skiers and Snowboarders
Steinar Sulheim, MD; Ingar Holme, PhD; Arne Ekeland, MD, PhD; Roald Bahr, MD, PhD


JAMA. 2006;295:919-924.

Context Although using a helmet is assumed to reduce the risk of head injuries in alpine sports, this effect is questioned. In contrast to bicycling or inline skating, there is no policy of mandatory helmet use for recreational alpine skiers and snowboarders.

Objective To determine the effect of wearing a helmet on the risk of head injury among skiers and snowboarders while correcting for other potential risk factors.

Design, Setting, and Participants Case-control study at 8 major Norwegian alpine resorts during the 2002 winter season, involving 3277 injured skiers and snowboarders reported by the ski patrol and 2992 noninjured controls who were interviewed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The controls comprised every 10th person entering the bottom main ski lift at each resort during peak hours. The number of participants interviewed corresponded with each resort's anticipated injury count based on earlier years.

Main Outcome Measure Injury type, helmet use, and other risk factors (age, sex, nationality, skill level, equipment used, ski school attendance, rented or own equipment) were recorded. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between individual risk factors (including helmet wear) and risk of head injury by comparing skiers with head injuries with uninjured controls, as well as to skiers with injuries other than head injuries.

Results Head injuries accounted for 578 injuries (17.6%). Using a helmet was associated with a 60% reduction in the risk for head injury (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.55; adjusted for other risk factors) when comparing skiers with head injuries with uninjured controls. The effect was slightly reduced (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.34-0.59) when skiers with other injuries were used as controls. For the 147 potentially severe head injuries, those who were referred to an emergency physician or for hospital treatment, the adjusted OR was 0.43 (95% CI, 0.25-0.77). The risk for head injury was higher among snowboarders than for alpine skiers (adjusted OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.22-1.91).

Conclusion Wearing a helmet is associated with reduced risk of head injury among snowboarders and alpine skiers.


Author Affiliations: Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo (Drs Sulheim, Holme, and Bahr) and Martina Hansens Hospital, Bærum (Dr Ekeland), Norway.

[INDY GS]

I can believe 60% but am surprised it is not a higher number. I always wear a lid when skiing, even at small midwestern hills. I know for a fact that the one time i actually needed my lid it saved my dome. So I am sitting on a 100% better than hitting my skull sans helmet ratio.

[cj001f]

Good to know.

[pappag]

A study by Norwegian researchers found that alpine skiers and snowboarders who wore a proper helmet while participating in their respective sports had a 60% lower risk of sustaining a head injury than those who wore no helmet.

"That means that six out of 10 head injuries could be avoided if everyone wore a helmet..."

Glad to see this article explained to me what 60% means.

[Max Gosey]

I've had two concussions in my skiing career, and these were my only head injuries. BOTH of them occurred with a helmet on, so I can imagine that it would have SUCKED without the helmet. I'm sure as shit glad I wear mine.

I'd think the number would be higher, too also, as well, too.

[Free Range Lobster]

imo: helmet = good.

that and the nine.9 ear flaps keep my ears warm

[The Dad]

Update: The article is now available for free on JAMA's website, although you may need to register first.

HTML - ABSTRACT | HTML - FULL TEXT | PDF - FULL TEXT

[grrrr]

I wear a helmet freeskiing, but not when I'm teaching. I need the additional hearing ability of having my ears uncovered. Many instructors frown on helmet use by instructors as well, particularly for the never-ever classes as it implies a certain level of danger, instead of warm and fuzzy. I'm a bit ambivalent about that...

As far as helmet laws go, while there are no countries that require them for all skiers and riders, Italy at least does require them for 14 and under. My son is so well indoctrinated that I get a ration from him if I try to freeski without one.

[hutash]

It would suck to see such a law, but I would not be surprised to see more hills requiring them. With data like that someone is going to konk their head, sue the mountain, and use this type of data to say it's the mountains fault for not requiring one. I think the mountain should just ban stupid people, but I don't think they can afford to operate with just the TGR crew.

[fez]

Many instructors frown on helmet use by instructors as well, particularly for the never-ever classes as it implies a certain level of danger, instead of warm and fuzzy. I'm a bit ambivalent about that...

I think it gives a different message. The instructor not wearing a helmet for never-evers is more likely to make them think helmets are not necessary or 'cool'. i bet if the instructors wore one, the students would be more likely to wear one later. few people hit the ground as often as the never-evers. while they are usually going pretty slow, it doesnt take much of a fall to hard pack to cause a concussion.

[grrrr]

I think it gives a different message. The instructor not wearing a helmet for never-evers is more likely to make them think helmets are not necessary or 'cool'. i bet if the instructors wore one, the students would be more likely to wear one later. few people hit the ground as often as the never-evers. while they are usually going pretty slow, it doesnt take much of a fall to hard pack to cause a concussion.

That is the way I'm leaning now. What I need is a helmet that doesn't interfere with hearing but keeps my head warm...and looks cool.

[Dirty Hoar]

That is the way I'm leaning now. What I need is a helmet that doesn't interfere with hearing but keeps my head warm...and looks cool.

So you're concerned about gapEAR gap?

[The Dad]

That is the way I'm leaning now. What I need is a helmet that doesn't interfere with hearing but keeps my head warm...and looks cool.

Most have removable earflaps, you know.

[grrrr]

Most have removable earflaps, you know.

Unfortunately, of 3 I have now, 1 is hard sided (with chin strap, black, XXL), 1 is old-school with fixed earflaps and 1 is stripped down for spring and not warm enough for mid-winter. so now that you mention it, yes, yes I do know. Hence the need to get a new helmet.

[TomK]

Unfortunately, of 3 I have now, 1 is hard sided (with chin strap, black, XXL), 1 is old-school with fixed earflaps and 1 is stripped down for spring and not warm enough for mid-winter. so now that you mention it, yes, yes I do know. Hence the need to get a new helmet.

See if the Giro Nine fits your noggen. I'm very happy with the sound transmissability of the (removable) ear flaps. It's almost as good as bare ears and nowhere near as isolating as a hardside.

[llyon]

See if the Giro Nine fits your noggen. I'm very happy with the sound transmissability of the (removable) ear flaps. It's almost as good as bare ears and nowhere near as isolating as a hardside.

The earflaps are definitely removable. In fact, they are so removable that they often decide to remove themselves whenever I even touch them

[BushwackerinPA]

I think it gives a different message. The instructor not wearing a helmet for never-evers is more likely to make them think helmets are not necessary or 'cool'. i bet if the instructors wore one, the students would be more likely to wear one later. few people hit the ground as often as the never-evers. while they are usually going pretty slow, it doesnt take much of a fall to hard pack to cause a concussion.

yeah I try to put up with the heat no matter how easy the lesson just because I want the students to follow my example.