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Helmets reduce risk of skier and snowboarder brain injury by 35 per centRSS Feed

04 February 2010

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury among skiers and snowboarders, according to an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), but recent research has shown that helmets reduce the risk of head injury among these people by 35 per cent.

Canadian researchers analysed 12 studies conducted in Europe, Asia and North America and found that helmet use in recreational activities is beneficial.

However, the authors were unable to determine the design, quality or fit of the helmets that were most beneficial.

"Between two and five of every ten head injuries among helmet users could be prevented," Brent Hagel, from Alberta Children's Hospital, and co-authors wrote.

Some suggest that helmets may increase the risk of neck injury in a crash or fall, but the recent research, published in the CMAJ, found no evidence of this.

Last month the Asheville Citizen-Times reported that the number of brain injuries sustained in sports could be cut following the development of a new impact-absorbing helmet by a man called Tom Morgan.

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