Children's skiing injuries in Australia

Abstract

Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports for adults and children in Australia. While much is known about the epidemiology of skiing trauma in adults, little has been written about the patterns of skiing injury in children in Australia. During the 1984 ski season, the injuries and risk factors of 149 children were compared with those of 1093 adults who were injured over the same period. Although Australian children were found to be possibly less prone to injury than were adults, they did sustain more serious injuries, in particular, fractures of the tibia. The significantly different associated risk factors that are thought to be responsible were the greater number of children who were injured in collisions and ski-lift accidents, and inadequate bindings on their skis. Such shortcomings are correctable; children require better boot-bindings and greater supervision on the ski-slopes.