Skiing

SKIING & SNOWBOARDING

Smart skiing and Snowboarding starts before you leave the lodge. Snowboarding and Skiing continue to grow in popularity. Individuals of all skill levels-from expert to beginner, from highly conditioned athlete to the physically challenged-enjoy snow sports. Despite improved equipment, more advanced training regimens, and state-of-the art skiing facilities, skiiers continue to suffer injuries. According to the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM) the majority of ski and snowboard injuries occur from falls or collisions.

Variables of Skiing/Snowboard injuries:

Experience/Skill level: Skiers with more experience suffer fewer injuries
Equipment: Ski bindings have a direct effect on overall injury rates
Sex: Female have a greater tendency toward lower extremity injury
Age: Younger skiers are more likely to be injured but less severe
Fatigue: The longer in the day the greater the risk of injury
Snow Conditions: Packed powder leads to an increase in tibial injuries

Current Injury Reports: (University of Alberta):

Injury rates on the slopes are on the rise, especially for snowboarders, says a wear a helmet when performing snowsports study released by the Alberta Centre for Injury Control at the University of Alberta. Overall, about two out of every 1,000 skiers and three out of every 1,000 snowboarders are reporting injuries. This is impressive when you do the math, as there is an estimated 200 million skiers and 70 million snowboarders world wide that hit the slopes each year.

Experience/Skill Level:

Perhaps the single most important factor affecting ski/snowboard injury rates is the individuals ability. Less skilled skiers/snowboarders suffer more injuries than those seasoned veterans of the mountain. In fact, according to American Family Physician Almost 1/4 of injuries on snowboards occur on the very first time on the mountain. Another dangerous area for both snow enthusiasts are the lift lines. This is an area where both expert and novice are brought together by the cattle lines and thrust into a congested intersection prior to loading the lift. A good lift operator will be cautious and help protect many skiers but the ski/snowboarder is ultimately responsible and should be thinking one step ahead and watching traffic.

Ski Bindings:

During the past several years there has been a reduction in binding-related injuries. These injuries occur when the binding fails to release properly or releases at an inopportune time. Nearly 50% of all skiing injuries are related to improper binding performance and 30% of overall injuries are the knees.

Marker M1200 Ti Contact Control Ski Bindings The binding is designed to release prior to placing unwanted stress to the lower leg (knee), where injury typically occurs. The majority of manufacturers now create bindings that release with lateral force or twisting. Most falls result in forces, or torques, which allow these release systems to protect the lower leg. It is important to test your bindings with each ski trip to the slopes. Test the binding in each direction it is designed to release. The test should be done with slow twisting and leaning motions, utilizing muscle control rather than sudden shocks or thrusts. If leg pain is felt prior to the binding releases, something is functionally wrong. You should consult your local ski store or the technician running the ski shop at the respective mountain you are skiing.

Snowboard Bindings:

Snowboard bindings to not pose the risk that ski bindings do, primarily for the fact that both legs are securely held in place. As you know the snowboard bindings in no way should be releasing while enjoying a day of snowboarding. Most binding systems are molded plastic shells with a buckle system (which continue to improve each year). The binding will typically have a high back extension for control and support, which abuts the Achilles tendon.

Fatigue:

It is reasonable to consider that well-trained recreational skiers/snowboarders are less likely sustain injury than those who tire significantly during the course of a day. Many injuries occur later in the day as muscles and overall fitness levels are being tested. For many mountain-goers this is there first big cardiovascular exercise in months. Snow sports in general require large amount of recruitment of muscle groups in a bent knee position and also demand the ability to quickly change directions and react to sudden obstacles. As muscles fatigue the body becomes increasingly more reliant on the equipment and the tendons/ligaments. Ideally a year long fitness program should be in place by your therapist. At the very minimal a snow sport focused regimen should be practiced for 8-12 weeks prior to the first ski trip. Consult a Physical Therapist if you have further questions.

Injuries:

Snowboard: Wrist 23%, Ankle 16% (soft boot), Knee 16%, Head 9% (no helmet)
Skiing: Lower Extremity (Knee, Ankle, Hip) 60%, Upper Extremity 25%

Snow Sport Links:

Ski Reports for Washington: www.skiwashington.com

US Forest Service

Mini Mountain

REI

Sturtevants

Stevens Pass

The Summit at Snoqualmie

REFERENCES

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Bladin C, McCrory P. Snowboarding injuries. An overview. Sports Med 1995;19:358-64.
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Cheng SL, Rajaratnam K, Raskin KB, Hu RW, Axelrod TS. "Splint-top" fracture of the forearm: a description of an in-line skating injury associated with the use of protective wrist splints. J Trauma 1995;39:1194-7.
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