Correction to: Suspension syndrome: a potentially fatal vagally mediated circulatory collapse-an experimental randomized crossover trial.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Information was missing in the acknowledgements section. The correct information is given below.

Suspension syndrome: a potentially fatal vagally mediated circulatory collapse-an experimental randomized crossover trial.

PURPOSE: Suspension syndrome describes a potentially life-threatening event during passive suspension on a rope. The pathophysiological mechanism is not fully understood and optimal treatment unknown. We aimed to elucidate the pathophysiology and to give treatment recommendations. METHODS: In this experimental, randomized crossover trial, 20 healthy volunteers were suspended in a sit harness for a maximum of 60 min, with and without prior climbing. Venous pooling was assessed by measuring the diameter of the superficial femoral vein (SFV), lower leg tissue oxygenation (StO2) and by determining localized bioelectrical impedance. Hemodynamic response was assessed by measuring heart rate, blood pressure, stroke volume, and left ventricular diameters. Signs and symptoms of pre-syncope were recorded. RESULTS: Twelve (30%) out of 40 tests were prematurely terminated due to pre-syncopal symptoms (mean 44.7 min, minimum 13.4, maximum 59.7). SFV diameter increased, StO2 and the capacitive resistance of the cells decreased indicating venous pooling. Heart rate and blood pressure did not change in participants without pre-syncope. In contrast, in participants experiencing pre-syncope, heart rate and blood pressure dropped immediately before the event. All symptoms dissolved and values returned to normal within 5 min with participants in a supine position. CONCLUSIONS: Sudden pre-syncope during passive suspension in a harness was observed in 30% of the tests. Blood pools in the veins of the lower legs; however, a vagal mechanism finally leads to loss of consciousness. Time to pre-syncope is unpredictable and persons suspended on a rope should be rescued and put into a supine position as soon as possible.

Exercise physiology and nutritional perspectives of elite soccer refereeing.

Referees are an integral part of soccer, and their performance is fundamental for regular match flow, irrespective of the competition level or age classes. So far, scientific interest was mainly limited to aspects of exercise physiology and match performance of soccer referees, whereas recommendations for nutrition were adopted from active professional soccer. In contrast to elite soccer players, most referees are non-professional and engaged in different occupations. Furthermore, elite referees and soccer players differ in regard to age, body composition, aerobic capacity, and training load. Thus, referees' caloric needs and recommended daily carbohydrate intake may generally be lower compared to active soccer players, with higher intakes limited to periods of increased training load and match days or for referees engaged in physical demanding occupations. With respect to fluid intake, pre-match and in-match hydration strategies generally valid in sports are recommended also for referees to avoid cognitive and physical performance loss, especially when officiating in extreme climates and altitude. In contrast to elite soccer, professional assistance concerning nutrition and training is rarely available for national elite referees of most countries. Therefore, special attention on education about adequate nutrition and fluid intake, about the dietary prevention of deficiencies (iron in female referees, vitamin D irrespective of sex and age), and basic precautions for travels abroad is warranted. In conclusion, the simple adoption of nutritional considerations from active soccer for referees may not be appropriate. Recommendations should respect gender differences, population-specific physical characteristics, and demands just as well as individual characteristics and special needs.

Right ventricle dimensions and function in response to acute hypoxia in healthy human subjects.

AIM: Acute hypoxia produces acute vasoconstriction in the pulmonary circulation with consequences on right ventricular (RV) structure and function. Previous investigations in healthy humans have been restricted to measurements after altitude acclimatization or were interrupted by normoxia. We hypothesized that immediate changes in RV dimensions in healthy subjects in response to normobaric hypoxia differ without the aforementioned constraints. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 35 young, healthy subjects exposed to 11% oxygen, as well as six controls under sham hypoxia (20.6% oxygen, single blind) first at normoxia and after 30, 60, 100, 150 min of hypoxia or normoxia respectively. A subgroup of 15 subjects continued with 3-min cycling exercise in hypoxia with subsequent evaluation followed by an assessment 1 min at rest while breathing 4 L min-1 oxygen. RESULTS: During hypoxia, there was a significant linear increase of all RV dimensions (RVD1 + 29 mm, RVD2 + 42 mm, RVD3 + 41 mm, RVOT + 13 mm, RVEDA + 18 mm, P < 0.01) in the exposure group vs. the control group. In response to hypoxia, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) showed a modest increase in hypoxia at rest (+7.3 mmHg, P < 0.01) and increased further with physical effort (+11.8 mmHg, P < 0.01). After 1 min of oxygen at rest, it fell by 50% of the maximum increase. CONCLUSION: Acute changes in RV morphology occur quickly after exposure to normobaric hypoxia. The changes were out of proportion to a relatively low-estimated increase in pulmonary pressure, indicating direct effects on RV structure. The results in healthy subjects are basis for future clinically oriented interventional studies in normobaric hypoxia.

Acute effects of concentric and eccentric exercise on glucose metabolism and interleukin-6 concentration in healthy males.

Acute muscle-damaging eccentric exercise (EE) negatively affects glucose metabolism. On the other hand, long-term eccentric endurance exercise seems to result in equal or superior positive effects on glucose metabolism compared to concentric endurance exercise. However, it is not known if acute non-muscle-damaging EE will have the same positive effects on glucose metabolism as acute concentric exercise (CE). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) released from the exercising muscles may be involved in the acute adaptations of glucose metabolism after CE and non-muscle-damaging EE. The aim of this study was to assess acute effects of uphill walking (CE) and non-muscle-damaging downhill walking (EE) on glucose metabolism and IL-6 secretion. Seven sedentary non-smoking, healthy males participated in a crossover trial consisting of a 1 h uphill (CE) and a 1 h downhill (EE) walking block on a treadmill. Venous blood samples were drawn before (pre), directly after (acute) and 24 h after (post) exercise. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and 24 h after exercise. Glucose tolerance after 1 and 2 hours significantly improved 24 hours after CE (-10.12±3.22%: P=0.039; -13.40±8.24%: P=0.028). After EE only the 1-hour value was improved (-5.03±5.48%: P=0.043). Acute IL-6 concentration rose significantly after CE but not after EE. We conclude that both a single bout of CE and a single bout of non-muscle-damaging EE elicit positive changes in glucose tolerance even in young, healthy subjects. Our experiment indicates that the overall metabolic cost is a major trigger for acute adaptations of glucose tolerance after exercise, but only the IL-6 production during EE was closely related to changes in glycaemic control.

Anaerobic training in hypoxia: A new approach to stimulate the rating of effort perception.

This study compared subjective effort perception with objective physiological measures during high-intensive intermittent exercise performed in normoxia, moderate hypoxia (FiO2: 16.5%) and severe hypoxia (FiO2: 13.5%). Sixteen physically active subjects performed an equal training session on three different days. Training consisted of 6 "all-out" series of continuous jumps lasting for 15s each. Average power output during the jumps was similar in all three conditions (~3200W). Greater hypoxemia was observed in hypoxia as compared to normoxia. Likewise, a significantly higher value in perceived effort was observed after hypoxia training as compared to normoxia training (p<0.05). Whereas blood lactate concentrations immediately after training were not different between normoxia and hypoxia, creatine kinase increased in moderate (p=0.02) and severe (p<0.01) hypoxia compared to normoxia 24h after the training. Perceived fatigue was also significantly elevated 24h after hypoxic exercise only. Heart rate variability pre and 24h after exercise showed a tendency to sympathetic predominance in severe hypoxia as compared to moderate hypoxia and normoxia. In conclusion, a single session of anaerobic exercise can be executed at the same intensity in moderate/severe hypoxia as in normoxia. This type of hypoxic training may be considered as a method potentially to improve the ability tolerating discomfort and consequently also exercise performance.

Body Water Status and Short-term Maximal Power Output during a Multistage Road Bicycle Race (Giro d'Italia 2014).

An investigation of whether body water changes during the Giro d'Italia affected average maximal mean power (MMP) of different time durations and to establish whether phase-angle and body cell mass (BCM) are related to MMP in elite cyclists. Approximately 2 h after each stage of the race, a bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed on 8 cyclists and analysed according to bioelectrical impedance vector analyses. Additionally, MMP of different time durations were recorded during each stage. Body mass increased (p<0.001), vector-length shortened (p<0.001) and MMP15 (maximal mean power for 15 s; p=0.043) decreased in the course of the Giro d'Italia. The shortening of the vector was negatively related to MMP10 (r=- 0.749, p=0.032) and MMP15 (r=- 0.735, p=0.038) during stage 16 (heavy mountain-stage) and MMP60 (r=- 0.751, p=0.032), MMP300 (r=- 0.739, p=0.036) and MMP1800 (r=- 0.769, p=0.026) during stage 19 (time-trial). Additionally, the baseline phase-angle and BCM were associated to MMP15 best (r=0.781, p=0.022 and 0.756, p=0.030, respectively). In the course of the Giro d'Italia, MMP15 decreased, indicating progressive fatigue. The vector-length shortening and to some extent the body mass increase indicate that cyclists gained body water during the race. This gain was positively associated with performance during the last stages, possibly due to improved thermoregulation. Furthermore, phase-angle and BCM, shown to be linked to cellular function and to represent metabolic active tissue, reflect individual MMP of short duration in professional road cyclists.

Changes in hydration, body-cell mass and endurance performance of professional soccer players through a competitive season.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to determine changes of the bioelectrical impedance vector (BIVA) throughout a soccer season and to ascertain whether vector changes are associated with endurance performance changes. METHODS: Eighteen professional male soccer players (age=21.8±3.0 years, height=1.8±0.07 m, mass=7.2±6.5 kg) participated in the study. BIVA was conducted serially on 8 occasions throughout one soccer season. Endurance performance (Yo-Yo test) was assessed before the first training session of the preseason training, after the pre-season training and at the end of the season. RESULTS: Vector length shortened (p<0.05) during pre-season training and was associated with improvements in endurance performance (r=0.569, p=0.034). Vector length and phase-angle increased at mid-season compared to post pre-season training (p<0.05). Vector length at end-season was lower compared to mid-season (p<0.05). No further changes in endurance performance occurred. CONCLUSION: Bioimpedance vector variations from baseline indicate that fluid-gains occur during the pre-season training, possibly due to plasma volume expansion and enhanced glycogen storage, accompanied by improvements in endurance performance. The vector migration and the increase in phase angle during the competitive season indicate fluid-loss and an increase in body cell mass without effects on performance. At the very end of the season, when training volume and intensity are reduced, body fluid increases again.

Effect of weekly hiking on cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Hiking is one of the most popular activities among the elderly in Alpine regions. Due to the long-lasting, moderately intensive nature of this form of physical activity, hiking is generally considered to be beneficial to health. However, it is currently unclear whether once-weekly hiking--as commonly practiced at weekends--really does yield such positive effects in elderly persons aged 60 years and over. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of a single weekly mountain hiking session on cardiovascular risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 9-month mountain hiking program was completed by 14 male (age 65.6 ± 2.7 years) and 10 female (age 66.2 ± 4.4 years) elderly participants. The program consisted of a single weekly hiking session with the goal of achieving a 500-m altitude increase within 3 h. Before and after the 9-month program, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed and blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high-density (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) measurements were made. RESULTS: The elderly participants showed a normal cardiovascular risk profile at the start of the investigation. The estimated net energy expenditure for one hiking session was approximately 521 ± 91 kcal. Over the 9-month period, no changes were found in any of the investigated parameters for the entire group. However, participants with untreated hypertension showed a reduced systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The present investigation showed that moderate-intensity activity only at weekends does not improve cardiovascular risk factors in elderly persons with a relatively normal cardiovascular risk profile. Conversely, elderly persons suffering from hypertension might profit from such a practice.

Short-term supplementation with alpha-ketoglutaric acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural does not prevent the hypoxia induced decrease of exercise performance despite attenuation of oxidative stress.

Reactive oxygen species are thought to partly be responsible for the hypoxia induced performance decrease. The present study evaluated the effects of a broad based antioxidant supplementation or the combined intake of alpha-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) on the performance decrease at altitude. 18 healthy, well-trained males (age: 25±3 years; height: 179±6 cm; weight: 76.4±6.8 kg) were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to a placebo group (PL), a α-KG and 5-HMF supplementation group (AO1) or a broad based antioxidant supplementation group (AO2). Participants performed 2 incremental exercise tests to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer; the first test under normoxia and the second under hypoxia conditions (simulated altitude, FiO2=13% ~ 4 300 m). Supplementation started 48 h before the hypoxia test. Maximal oxygen uptake, maximal power output, power output at the ventilatory and lactate threshold and the tissue oxygenation index (NIRS) were measured under both conditions. Oxidative stress markers were measured before the supplementation and after the hypoxia test. Under hypoxia conditions all performance parameters decreased in the range of 19-39% with no differences between groups. A significant change from normoxia to hypoxia (p<0.001) and between groups (p=0.038) were found for the tissue oxygenation index. Post hoc test revealed significant differences between the PL and both, the AO1 and the AO2 group. The oxidative stress parameter carbonyl protein changed from normoxia to hypoxia in all participants and 4-hydroxynonenal decreased in the AO1 group only. In conclusion the results suggest that short-term supplementation with an antioxidant does not prevent the performance decrease at altitude. However, positive effects on muscle oxygen extraction, as indicated by the tissue oxygenation index, might indicate that mitochondrial functioning was actually influenced by the supplementation.

Effects of massage under hypoxic conditions on exercise-induced muscle damage and physical strain indices in professional soccer players.

Reports based on experiences from masseurs and players, mostly without any scientific background, suggest that the combination of a classical regeneration method (i.e. massage) with exposure to hypoxia may enhance regeneration in soccer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this specific combination could affect blood parameters related to muscle damage and physical strain after a soccer game. Approximately 15 hours after two separate championship games, 10 professional male outfield players of the first Austrian division were exposed to normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 13.5% ∼ 4000m) or normoxia for 1 hour (30 minutes rest followed by 30 min massage) (cross-over design). Creatine kinase (CK), urea and uric acid (UA) were measured 4 days before the first game, and 15 and 63 hours after the two games. Match play increased CK values independently of the intervention. No effect of the massage in combination with hypoxia was seen. A trend was found between Δ UA ([UA] 48 hours after exposure minus [UA] before exposure) in response to hypoxia and SaO2 measured in hypoxia (r=0.612, p=0.06). Results show that massage under hypoxic conditions had no additional positive effect on the measured parameters compared to massage alone. Solely the trend of a relationship for Δ UA and SaO2 might indicate that redox alterations are a potential consequence of hypoxic exposure.

Short-term intermittent hypoxia reduces the severity of acute mountain sickness.

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is a promising approach to induce acclimatization and hence lower the risk of developing acute mountain sickness (AMS). We hypothesized that a short-term IH protocol in normobaric hypoxia (7 × 1 h to 4500 m) effectively increases the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) and reduces the incidence and severity of AMS. Therefore, 26 men (25.5 ± 4.4 years), assigned in a double-blinded fashion to the hypoxia group (HG) or placebo group (PG), spent 8 h at 5300 m before (PRE) and 2 days after cessation of the IH protocol (POST). Measurements included the evaluation of the Lake Louise Score (LLS) and the HVR. The severity of AMS decreased from PRE to POST in the HG (from 6.0 ± 2.7 at PRE to 4.1 ± 2.1 at POST), whereas the LLS in the PG stayed high (from 5.7 ± 2.9 to 5.5 ± 2.8, respectively). The HVR in the HG increased from 0.73 ± 0.4 L/min/% at PRE to 1.10 ± 0.5 L/min/% at POST and did not increase in the PG. The reduction of the LLS was inversely related to the changes in the HVR (r = -0.434), but the AMS incidence was not different between the HG and the PG at POST. In conclusion, short-term IH reduced the severity of AMS development during a subsequent 8-h exposure to normobaric hypoxia.

Effects of supervised exercise on gamma-glutamyl transferase levels in patients with isolated impaired fasting glucose and those with impaired fasting glucose plus impaired glucose tolerance.

AIM: To study the effects of a supervised exercise program on serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in pre-diabetic patients with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and those with IFG plus impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: Out of 60 pre-diabetic patients (30 with isolated IFG and 30 with IFG + IGT) 24 were randomly assigned to the supervised exercise program (1 h twice a week) and 36 only obtained counselling on the risk of diabetes and its prevention. Patients have been followed over a 12-month period. RESULTS: The main findings were that patients with IFG + IGT had increased GGT levels at baseline (49.2±27.4 U/L) compared to subjects with isolated IFG (28.1±21.9 U/L) (p<0.01), and that GGT levels improved only after the supervised exercise intervention within the IFG + IGT subjects ( - 17.7±19.6 U/L). Similarly, baseline triglyceride levels were also higher in IFG + IGT patients (p<0.001) and there was a decrease through exercise intervention in these patients only (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: GGT is an unspecific marker of oxidative stress and both high plasma glucose and triglycerides levels may produce oxidative stress. Thus, patients with IFG + IGT seem to have higher levels of oxidative stress than those with isolated IFG. Based on the known association between GGT levels and cardiovascular risk factors, IFG + IGT patients may be at higher risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The specific effect of regular exercise on GGT in pre-diabetic patients may contribute to the understanding of the preventive effects related to exercise.

Changes in cardiac autonomic activity during a passive 8 hour acute exposure to 5 500 m normobaric hypoxia are not related to the development of acute mountain sickness.

Alterations in the autonomic nervous system after ascent to high altitude may be related to the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS). So far, the time course of cardiac autonomic modulation in relation to AMS development during the early hours at altitude is not well established. As AMS develops sometimes as early as 1 h and typically within 6 to 10 h at altitude, evaluating this time period provides information on cardiac autonomic responses with regard to AMS development. Prior studies exclusively investigated autonomic modulations in hypobaric hypoxia. Because barometric pressure per se might influence autonomic nervous system activity, the evaluation of cardiac autonomic alterations caused by hypoxia alone might give new insights on the role of the autonomic nervous system in AMS development. To assess the early responses of acute hypoxia on cardiac autonomic modulation and its association to the development of AMS, 48 male subjects were exposed for 8 h to acute normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 11.0%, 5 500 m respectively). Heart rate variability (HRV) was determined by 5-min recordings of successive NN-intervals in normoxia and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h in hypoxia. Compared with normoxia, acute exposure to hypoxia decreased total power (TP), high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) components as well as the standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of differences of successive NN intervals (rMSSD) and the proportion of differences between adjacent NN intervals of more than 50 ms (pNN50). LF:HF ratio, heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (LA) were augmented, indicating an increase in cardiac sympathetic activity. No differences were found between those who developed AMS and those who did not. Our results confirm reduced HRV with a shift towards sympathetic predominance during acute exposure to hypoxia. However, changes in cardiac autonomic modulations are not related to AMS development in acute normobaric hypoxia.

Effects of the performance level and the FIFA "11" injury prevention program on the injury rate in Italian male amateur soccer players.

AIM: Soccer is characterized by high injury rates that necessitate interventions for its reduction. The "11" is a multi-modal preventive program that was developed to reduce injury rate. However, outcomes on the effectiveness of the program are not unambiguous and data for the largest group at risk (i.e., male adult amateur players) are missing. The study aims to assess the injury rate in male adult amateur soccer players of different levels and to evaluate the effectiveness of the prevention program the "11". METHODS: Three amateur soccer teams participated in the study during the first round of a competition season. Two teams played at a regional level (6th Italian league) and one team at a provincial level (7th Italian league). The regional league is of a higher skill level compared to the provincial league. Duration and frequency of training and match sessions and the occurrence of time-loss injuries were recorded. One team of the 6th league performed an injury prevention program. RESULTS: The total injury rate for the intervention and the control team in the 6th league was 3.3 (CI 0.7-5.9) and 4.3 (CI 1.3-7.3) injuries/1000 h, respectively (P=0.841). The 6th league control team tended to have a lesser injury rate compared to the 7th league team (P=0.081). The relative risk was 2 fold higher in the 7th compared to the 6th league team (P=0.0285 one tailed). CONCLUSION: Present results show that injury rate in amateur soccer depended rather on the skill level than the prevention program. In this study the prevention program the "11" was not shown to be highly effective in soccer player of intermediate level (i.e., 6th Italian league).

Changes in hydration status of soccer players competing in the 2008 European Championship.

AIM: Body composition is highly modifiable through exercise and may be changed by the physical stress of soccer training and competition. Especially body water as a constituent of body composition is assumed to be subjected to changes. It is speculated that during the most important soccer championship the combination of heat and the strenuous competitive program could lead to the development of a chronic state of hypohydration. However, no one tested this hypothesis. Therefore, the purpose of present work was to investigate the impact of the European Soccer Championship 2008 on players' body composition. METHODS: Participants were 14 players of one team, split into Starters (N.=7) and Non-Starters (N.=7). Starters participated in the games, while Non-Starters served as substitutes, with marginal playing times. Body composition was examined by bioelectrical impedance analysis before the championship and 36 hours after the first and second game. RESULTS: After the first game, Starters and Non-Starters showed decreased extra-cellular mass (-3.3% and -5.5%) and body cell mass (-4.1% and -6.1%) compared to prechampionship measurements. The impedance vector graph showed a significant lengthening in both groups (Starters T²=30.5, P=0.000; Non Starters T²=39.0, P=0.000). After the second game, extra-cellular mass (-3.4%) and body weight (-1.1%) decreased in Starters only. ANOVA revealed a significant difference in extra-cellular mass between Starters and Non-Starters (P=0.027). The impedance vector graph was lengthened in the Starters only (T²=17.5, P=0.000). The distance covered during the games was correlated to the percent drop in extra-cellular mass between the end of games 1 and 2 (r=-0.602; P=0.023). CONCLUSION: Players competing in the European championship games experienced a decrease in extra-cellular mass and body weight. The impedance vector graph showed a lengthening, indicating fluid loss. Therefore, proper hydration of players requires diligent attention.

Effects of intermittent hypoxia on running economy.

We investigated the effects of two 5-wk periods of intermittent hypoxia on running economy (RE). 11 male and female middle-distance runners were randomly assigned to the intermittent hypoxia group (IHG) or to the control group (CG). All athletes trained for a 13-wk period starting at pre-season until the competition season. The IHG spent additionally 2 h at rest on 3 days/wk for the first and the last 5 weeks in normobaric hypoxia (15-11% FiO2). RE, haematological parameters and body composition were determined at low altitude (600 m) at baseline, after the 5 (th), the 8 (th) and the 13 (th) week of training. RE, determined by the relative oxygen consumption during submaximal running, (-2.3+/-1.2 vs. -0.3+/-0.7 ml/min/kg, P<0.05) and total running time (+1.0+/-0.9 vs. +0.4+/-0.5 min, P<0.05) changed significantly between the IHG and CG only during the first 5-wk period. Haematological and cardiorespiratory changes indicate that the improved RE was associated with decreased cardiorespiratory costs and greater reliance on carbohydrate. Intermittent hypoxia did not affect RE during the second 5-wk period. These findings suggest that the effects of intermittent hypoxia on RE strongly depend on the training phase.

Factors associated with self-reported risk-taking behaviour on ski slopes.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, discussions have arisen about the potential influence of wearing a ski helmet on an increasing level of risk taking and higher speeds on ski slopes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with self-reported risk-taking behaviour in recreational skiers and snowboarders. METHODS: Speeds of skiers and snowboarders were measured with a radar speed gun and sex, age, nationality, height, weight and helmet use, used type of gear, self-estimated skill level and self-estimated fitness level were recorded. In addition, participants were asked if they considered themselves as cautious or risk-taking skier or snowboarder. RESULTS: In total, 453 skiers (39.6 (14.8) years) and 74 snowboarders (26.4 (9.6) years) have been interviewed. A stepwise forward logistic regression model revealed five independent factors for a risk-taking behaviour on slopes. Adjusted OR and their 95% CI showed that risk takers were <40 years (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.51 to 3.80), had a higher skill level (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.50), were more likely males (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.26), had a lower body mass index (22.8 vs 24.2) and skied with higher speeds (on average 53 vs 45 km/h) compared to cautious skiers. CONCLUSION: Risk-taking behaviour on ski slopes is associated with younger age, higher skiing ability, male sex, lower body mass index and on average higher speeds. Helmet use is not associated with riskier behaviour on slopes. In addition, helmet use has to be recommended because helmet use reduces the risk of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders.