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Characteristics of Victims of Fall-Related Accidents during Mountain Hiking

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Faulhaber

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Austrian Society of Alpine and High Altitude Medicine, 6414 Mieming, Austria)

  • Gerhard Ruedl

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

  • Friedemann Schneider

    (Department for Trauma Surgery and Sports Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Dagmar Walter

    (Austrian Board of Alpine Safety, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Regina Sterr

    (Austrian Board of Alpine Safety, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Wolfgang Schobersberger

    (Austrian Society of Alpine and High Altitude Medicine, 6414 Mieming, Austria
    Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism (ISAG), Tirol Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology (UMIT), 6060 Hall/Tyrol, Austria)

  • Fabian Schwendinger

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

  • Elena Pocecco

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

Abstract

The study evaluated characteristics of non-fatal mountain hiking accidents caused by falls. Questionnaires were sent to mountain hikers who suffered a fall-related accident in Tyrol (Austria) during a 3-year period. The questionnaire included details of socio-demographic data, physical activity, medication intake, defective vision, breaks, fluid intake, level of fatigue, muscle soreness, use of backpacks, use of hiking sticks, and type of shoes. Data of 405 individuals (57% females and 43% males) were included in the analyses. Victims were 56 ± 15 years of age, had a body mass index of 24.8 ± 3.5, and indicated 4.2 ± 3.9 h/week regular physical activity. A defective vision was reported by 70% of the victims, breaks were frequent (in 80%), and alcohol intake was rare (4%) among the interviewed hikers. Subjective level of fatigue was low and only 5% reported muscle soreness. A backpack was carried by 83% of the victims and the average weight was higher in males compared to females. The majority (61%) of the victims wore ankle-height hiking shoes with a profiled sole. Victims of non-fatal falls in mountain hiking are older than the general population of mountain hikers and are often afflicted with defective vision.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Faulhaber & Gerhard Ruedl & Friedemann Schneider & Dagmar Walter & Regina Sterr & Wolfgang Schobersberger & Fabian Schwendinger & Elena Pocecco, 2020. "Characteristics of Victims of Fall-Related Accidents during Mountain Hiking," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-9, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1115-:d:318600
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Elena Pocecco & Hamed Wafa & Johannes Burtscher & Peter Paal & Peter Plattner & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl, 2022. "Mortality in Recreational Mountain-Biking in the Austrian Alps: A Retrospective Study over 16 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Inge Werner & Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas & Peter Federolf, 2023. "Mountain Hiking: Prolonged Eccentric Muscle Contraction during Simulated Downhill Walking Perturbs Sensorimotor Control Loops Needed for Safe Dynamic Foot–Ground Interactions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-8, April.
    3. Benedikt Andreas Gasser & Fabian Schwendinger, 2022. "Has Being Lost While High-Altitude Mountaineering Become Less Frequent? A Retrospective Analysis from the Swiss Alps," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-8, February.
    4. Benedikt Gasser, 2022. "Deathly Accidents While High-Altitude Mountaineering in the Swiss Alps—An Observational Analysis from 2009 to 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-8, September.
    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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