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Are Risk-Taking and Ski Helmet Use Associated with an ACL Injury in Recreational Alpine Skiing?

Author

Listed:
  • Gerhard Ruedl

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Markus Posch

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Martin Niedermeier

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Klaus Greier

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    University College of Education (KPH) Stams, 6422 Stams, Austria)

  • Martin Faulhaber

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Alois Schranz

    (Medalp Sportclinic, 6460 Imst, Austria)

  • Martin Burtscher

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

According to the risk compensation hypothesis, the use of a ski helmet might provide a false sense of security, resulting in a riskier behavior by skiing faster or more aggressively, which might lead to an increased injury risk. Injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a common diagnosis in downhill skiers. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the potential impact of risk-taking and ski helmet use on ACL injury risk in recreational skiing. Eighty-two ACL injured and 446 uninjured skiers with a mean age of 37.3 ± 11.9 years (52% females) were surveyed during the winter season 2018/19 about age, sex, self-reported risk-taking behavior, self-reported skill level, perceived speed, and ski helmet use. Multiple regression analysis revealed that older age (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2–1.4), riskier behavior (OR: 5.4, 95% CI: 2.8–10.5), and lower skill level (OR: 6.7, 95% CI: 3.4–13.3) were found to be factors associated with ACL injury, while ski helmet use was not. In conclusion, no support for the risk compensation hypothesis was found with regard to ACL injuries. Therefore, we doubt that ski helmet use increases the risk for ACL injury and recommend wearing a ski helmet due to reported protective effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerhard Ruedl & Markus Posch & Martin Niedermeier & Klaus Greier & Martin Faulhaber & Alois Schranz & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Are Risk-Taking and Ski Helmet Use Associated with an ACL Injury in Recreational Alpine Skiing?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:17:p:3107-:d:261191
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gerhard Ruedl & Markus Posch & Katja Tecklenburg & Alois Schranz & Martin Faulhaber & Elena Pocecco & Martin Burtscher, 2022. "A Comparison of ACL Injury Risk, Ski Geometry and Standing Height Parameters between Skiers with Rented and with Owned Skis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-9, September.
    2. Martin Niedermeier & Hannes Gatterer & Elena Pocecco & Anika Frühauf & Martin Faulhaber & Verena Menz & Johannes Burtscher & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Winter Season—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Martin Niedermeier & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher & Martin Kopp, 2019. "Injury-Related Behavioral Variables in Alpine Skiers, Snowboarders, and Ski Tourers—A Matched and Enlarged Re-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-10, October.
    4. Martin Niedermeier & Claudia Kogler & Anika Frühauf & Martin Kopp, 2020. "Psychological Variables Related to Developmental Changes during Adolescence—A Comparison between Alpine and Non-Alpine Sport Participants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-10, October.
    5. Martin Burtscher & Martin Niedermeier & Hannes Gatterer, 2021. "Editorial on the Special Issue on “Mountain Sports Activities: Injuries and Prevention”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-7, February.

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