Sports injuries and illnesses during the 2015 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival.

BACKGROUND: The prevention of injury and illness remains an important issue among young elite athletes. Systematic surveillance of injuries and illnesses during multi-sport events might provide a valuable basis to develop preventive measures, focusing especially on adequate information for youth athletes. AIM: To analyse the frequencies and characteristics of injuries and illnesses during the 2015 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (W-EYOF). METHODS: All National Olympic Committees were asked to report daily the occurrence or non-occurrence of newly sustained injuries and illnesses on a standardised reporting form. RESULTS: Among the 899 registered athletes (37% female) with a mean age of 17.1±0.8 years, a total of 38 injuries and 34 illnesses during the 5 competition days of the W-EYOF were reported, resulting in an incidence of 42.3 injuries and 37.8 illnesses per 1000 athletes, respectively. Injury frequency was highest in snowboard cross (11%), Nordic combined (9%), alpine skiing (6%), and ice hockey (6%), taking into account the respective number of registered athletes. In snowboard cross, females showed a significant higher injury frequency compared to males (22% vs 4%, p=0.033). The lower back (16%), the pelvis (13%), the knee (11%), and the face (11%) were the most common injury locations. About 58% of injuries occurred in competition and about 42% in training. In total, 42% of injuries resulted in an absence of training or competition. The prevalence of illness was highest in figure skating (10%) and Nordic combined (9%), and the respiratory system was affected most often (53%). CONCLUSIONS: Four per cent of the athletes suffered from an injury and 4% from illnesses during the 2015 W-EYOF, which is about twofold lower compared to the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012.

[Factors Associated with the Use of Protective Gear among Adults during Recreational Sledging]. / Einflussfaktoren auf das Tragen von Schutzausrüstung bei erwachsenen Rodlern.

BACKGROUND: Recreational sledging (tobogganing) is a very popular winter sport in the Alps. Therefore, injury prevention through the usage of protective gear seems important. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with the use of protective gear among adults during recreational sledging. METHODS: Adult recreational sledgers were interviewed during the winter seasons 2012/13 and 2013/14 at six sledging tracks in Austria on demographics, skill level, sledging frequency, risk taking behaviour, sitting alone or with another person on the sledge, previous sledging-related injuries, and use of protective gear, respectively. Interviews were conducted on all days of the week. RESULTS: A total of 1968 adult sledgers (49.4 % females) with a mean age of 37.1 ±â€Š14.4 years participated in this study. A (ski) helmet, sun or snow goggles, a back protector, and wrist guards were used by 42.3 %, 71.0 %, 5.9 %, 2.6 % of sledgers, respectively. Helmet use was significantly higher with increasing age and increasing skill level as well as when sitting alone compared to sitting together with another person. Females, Austrians, persons sitting alone on the sledge, a higher frequency of sledging and a higher skill level were significantly associated with an increasing use of goggles. A back protector was significantly more often worn by younger people, more risky sledgers, and persons with a previous sledging-related injury. Wrist guards were significantly more often used by persons with a previous sledging-related injury. CONCLUSION: During recreational sledging, the factors age, sex, nationality, skill level, sitting alone compared to sitting together with another person on the sledge, sledging frequency, and injury experience were associated with the frequencies of usage of different types of protective gear. These factors should be considered when implementing preventive measures for recreational sledging.

[Equipment, Risk Awareness and Safety-Relevant Behaviour of Via Ferrata Climbers]. / Ausrüstung, Risikobewusstsein und sicherheitsrelevantes Verhalten von Klettersteiggehern.

BACKGROUND: Climbing via ferrata routes is becoming more and more popular. The growing number of via ferrata climbers is associated with an increasing number of accidents. In addition to adequate equipment and its correct handling, knowledge of specific risks and safety-related behaviour play an important role for safety on via ferrata routes. The goal of this study was to collect data on equipment, via ferrata-specific risk knowledge, safety-related behaviour, and general risk-taking behaviour of via ferrata climbers. METHODS: In this survey, data of 332 climbers of different via ferrata routes in Tyrol (Austria) were collected using a standardised data entry form including socio-demographic data, the use of via ferrata-specific equipment and first aid equipment. Knowledge of via ferrata-specific risks was assayed by a questionnaire including 4 questions. Additionally, safety-related behaviour and general risk-taking behaviour of the via ferrata climbers were evaluated. RESULTS: 92 % of the interviewed persons were wearing a helmet and helmet use was significantly lower in females (86 %) compared to males (96 %). In total, 10 % of the via ferrata climbers used inadequate belaying equipment or no equipment at all. The 4 questions related to via ferrata-specific risks were correctly answered by an average of 46 % of the climbers. A partner check was carried out by 76 % before starting the tour. 96 % of the climbers stated they ask the climber ahead of them for the possibility to overtake and wait for a suitable and safe spot. 64 % reported that they would not pass without self-belay. General risk-taking behaviour was scored at 4.26 ±â€Š1.75 with significant differences between female and male via ferrata climbers (3.79 ±â€Š1.37 vs. 4.53 ±â€Š1.88). CONCLUSION: Although most of the via ferrata climbers use adequate equipment, helmet use could be optimised in females. Via ferrata climbers should be better informed of the risks of climbing via ferrata routes and safety-related behaviour. Preventive measures including information panels at the entrances of the via ferrata routes and broad information campaigns could contribute to reduce the number of accidents.

[Frequencies of injuries and causes of accidents during ski touring on ski slopes - a pilot study]. / Verletzungshäufigkeit und Unfallursachen beim Pistentourengehen - eine Pilotstudie.

INTRODUCTION: Ski touring along ski slopes (slope touring) increased in recent years on Austrian ski slopes. However, ascending on the border of the slope and skiing downhill on the slope might be associated with a certain injury risk. Thus, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate frequencies of injuries, causes of accidents and potential risk factors during slope touring. METHODS: Slope-tourers were interviewed from March to April 2014 at the bottom of 4 Austrian ski areas. Interviews were conducted during the week and at the weekend from 7.30 a. m. to 8.45 p. m. RESULTS: A total of 451 slope-tourers (60.1 % males) with a mean age of 39.3 ±â€Š14.4 years were interviewed. Interviewed persons reported that they perform about 20.6 ±â€Š16.0 slope tours per season mainly with a partner (48 %) and during the day (51 %). Ski helmet use was 60 %. A total of 57 persons (12.6 %) reported that they suffered at least once from an injury during slope touring needing medical care. This corresponds to a rate of 6 injuries per 1000 slope tours. Main injury causes were a fall (78 %) and a collision with another person (15 %) and the main injured body part was the knee (36 %). Slope-tourers with an injury were wearing more often back protectors, and were falling more often during downhill skiing, and were abstaining less often from alcohol and were listening more often to music during downhill skiing compared to slope-tourers without an injury. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this pilot study we recommend abstaining from alcohol and not listening to music during downhill skiing to reduce the injury risk during slope touring.

Does listening to music with an audio ski helmet impair reaction time to peripheral stimuli?

With the recent worldwide increase in ski helmet use, new market trends are developing, including audio helmets for listening to music while skiing or snowboarding. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether listening to music with an audio ski helmet impairs reaction time to peripheral stimuli. A within-subjects design study using the Compensatory-Tracking-Test was performed on 65 subjects (36 males and 29 females) who had a mean age of 23.3 ± 3.9 years. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, we found significant differences in reaction times between the 4 test conditions (p=0.039). The lowest mean reaction time (± SE) was measured for helmet use while listening to music (507.9 ± 13.2 ms), which was not different from helmet use alone (514.6 ± 12.5 ms) (p=0.528). However, compared to helmet use while listening to music, reaction time was significantly longer for helmet and ski goggles used together (535.8 ± 14.2 ms, p=0.005), with a similar trend for helmet and ski goggles used together while listening to music (526.9 ± 13.8 ms) (p=0.094). In conclusion, listening to music with an audio ski helmet did not increase mean reaction time to peripheral stimuli in a laboratory setting.

[Who is wearing a ski helmet? Helmet use on Austrian ski slopes depending on various factors]. / Wer trägt einen Skihelm? Helmtragequote auf österreichischen Skipisten in Abhängigkeit verschiedener Einflussfaktoren.

Objective of this study was to evaluate the actual helmet use on Austrian ski slopes depending on various factors as gender, age, and nationality, used type of gear, skiing ability and risk taking behaviour on slopes. In total, 63% of all observed subjects used ski helmets. However, significant differences have been found with regard to age, nationality, and skiing ability. While 78% of participants younger than 20 years used helmets, only 53% of those over 60 years were wearing ski helmets. Helmet use was significantly higher in locals compared to foreigners (75 vs. 52%) and in more skilled skiers compared to less skilled skiers (67 vs. 47%). No significant differences have been found with regard to gender, used type of gear, and risk taking behaviour. Thus, future helmet campaigns should also be aimed at older people, ski guest from other nations, and less skilled skiers.

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.

Intermittent hypoxia increases exercise tolerance in patients at risk for or with mild COPD.

The effects of repeated short-term hypoxia on exercise tolerance in patients at risk for, or with mild COPD were investigated. Eighteen patients (10 males, 8 females; 33-72 years) were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive 15 sessions of intermittent hypoxia (FiO(2): 0.15-0.12) or normoxia within 3 weeks. Three weeks of intermittent hypoxia increased total haemoglobin mass (+4% vs. 0%, p<0.05), total exercise time (+9.7% vs. 0%, p<0.05) and the exercise time to the anaerobic threshold (+13% vs. -7.8%, p<0.05) compared to controls. Changes in the total exercise time were positively related to the changes in total haemoglobin mass (r=0.59, p<0.05) and changes in the time to the anaerobic threshold were positively related to the changes in the lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (r=0.48, p<0.05). Intermittent hypoxia treatment may be a valuable addition to therapy designed to improve exercise tolerance in patients at risk for, or with mild COPD.

Autonomic and cerebrovascular abnormalities in mild COPD are worsened by chronic smoking.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may develop hypercapnia and hypoxia, two main determinants of cerebral blood flow. The current authors tested whether cerebrovascular regulation was altered in mild COPD, modified by manoeuvres acutely improving autonomic cardiovascular modulation or influenced by smoking habit. In 15 eucapnic normoxic mild COPD patients (eight smokers) and 28 age-matched controls (14 smokers), midcerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCFV), end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (P(ET,CO2)), arterial oxygen saturation (S(a,O2)), ECG and blood pressure at rest were monitored during progressive hypercapnic hyperoxia, isocapnic hypoxia, slow breathing and oxygen administration. MCFV, arterial baroreflex and dynamic MCFV-blood pressure relationships were compared by phase analysis. COPD and control smokers showed higher MCFV (when corrected for P(ET,CO2)), lower cerebrovascular resistance index and lower sensitivity to hypercapnia than nonsmokers, with equal sensitivity to S(a,O2) and similar phase analysis. Arterial baroreflex was depressed in all COPD patients. Slow breathing and oxygen administration improved baroreflex sensitivity and reduced MCFV in all COPD patients. Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease show autonomic dysfunction. Chronic smoking induces cerebral vasodilation and impairs cerebrovascular control. All abnormalities can be partly corrected by improving the cardio- and cerebrovascular autonomic modulation, suggesting that functional autonomic abnormalities are already present at an early stage of disease.