YOUR AD HERE »

Skiing-related head injuries increasing despite growing use of helmets

Jason Blevins
the denver post
AURORA, CO-- Alison Rochelle from Littleton gets a "Red" brand helmet fitted by sales rep., Matt Beck at the Colorado Ski and Golf in Aurora thursday afternoon during the Ski Rex VIP event Thursday afternoon. The annual sales event is open to the public on Saturday. Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DP | THE DENVER POST

Skiing and snowboarding head injuries could be increasing despite the growing use of helmets on the hill.

A study released Monday at the annual Scientific Assembly of the American College of Emergency Physicians in Denver shows the number of head injuries reported by skiers and snowboarders in 100 national emergency rooms grew 60 percent between 2004 and 2010. Helmet use in that period climbed from less than 25 percent of all skiers and snowboarders to more than 60 percent in the 2010-11 ski season.

“Skiing and snowboarding-related head injuries requiring emergency care have increased at a higher rate than all other ski and snowboard injuries, despite an increase in helmet use,” said Mark Christensen, one of the study’s authors, in a statement.



The Western Michigan University School of Medicine study of six ski seasons estimated that the number of ski-related head injuries grew from 9,308 in 2004-05 to 14,927 in 2009-10 while the occurrence of other ski injuries remained steady.

But the study’s sample showed only one-third of people admitted to emergency rooms with skiing-related head injuries were wearing helmets, indicating that helmeted skiers and snowboarders were less likely to injure their heads.



To read this article in its entirety, go to http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_21728592/skiing-related-head-injuries-increasing-despite-growing-use?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.

Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.