Skating and tobogganing are more likely to result in injury than snowboarding, but when it comes to winter sports, downhill skiing is the riskiest activity, according to a new report from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Snowboarders had a hospitalization rate of 550 cases per 100,000 emergency room admission records. However, downhill skiing caused the most hospitalizations, with 707 injuries per 100,000 records.
“While there are numerous health benefits resulting from these sports and activities, there are also risks of serious injuries,” said the blog, titled “Injuries from winter sports and activities.”
Downhill skiers suffered 4,456 injuries during that period, representing 707.2 cases per 100,000 CHIRPP records. The average patient age was 16.1 years, with 57.8 percent of cases occurring in males. Children 14 and younger represented 69.0 percent of all cases, with children 10 to 14 representing 44.7 percent of all cases.
Skating
Ice skating was the second-riskiest winter sport, with 630 injuries per 100,000 CHIRPP records during the time period studied, mostly affecting girls (64.3 percent).The mean age among patients was 14.4 years, with children 14 and younger representing 78.9 percent of all cases. Almost half (43.6 percent) of all cases were children aged 10 to 14. Where reported, one-third (36.9 percent) of injured skaters said they were wearing safety equipment.
“Falls represented the highest percentage of cases at 87 percent, reflecting the nature of this activity,” stated the blog. The next two most common circumstances were hitting a stationary object (6 percent) and falling or landing poorly after attempting a manoeuvre (3.6 percent) such as a jump, axel, or twist.
Sledding
During the time period studied, there were 3,639 sledding/tobogganing injuries reported in the CHIRPP database, or 577.6 cases per 100,000 records. Males represented 54.8 percent of all cases, with the mean age being 9.7 years. Children aged 14 and younger accounted for 92 percent of all cases.Where reported, 7.8 percent of those injured said they were wearing safety equipment at the time.
Fractures were the most common injury resulting from sledding, representing 32 percent of cases. Traumatic brain injuries accounted for 21.6 percent, broken down further to minor head injury at 10.5 percent, concussion at 10.5 percent, and intracranial injury at 0.6 percent. Superficial/open wounds accounted for 16 percent of all cases.
The report indicates that almost 75 percent of all fractures were to the upper and lower extremity regions, with the wrist, forearm, lower leg, and ankle being the most common fractured areas.
The majority of injuries (34.8 percent) were caused by a fall from the sled, followed by impact from hitting a stationary object (28.9 percent).
“These risks highlight the importance of personal safety, such as wearing appropriate clothing and safety equipment, and ensuring your gear is in good condition,” said the blog