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Skateboarding injuries in children. A second wave.
J Retsky1, D Jaffe, K Christoffel
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Skateboarding injuries surged in the mid-1980s, particularly affecting boys aged 10-14. Prevention strategies like age restrictions and protective gear are recommended to reduce these common injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric emergency medicine
- Public health surveillance
- Injury prevention research
Background:
- Emergency departments observed an increase in skateboard-related injuries.
- A resurgence in skateboarding popularity likely contributed to rising injury rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of skateboard-related injuries in the mid-1980s.
- To identify demographic trends and injury patterns.
- To inform prevention strategies for skateboard injuries.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) injury frequency estimates.
- Examination of injury data from 1984 and 1985.
- Correlation of injury patterns with age and gender.
Main Results:
- An estimated 19,182 injuries in 1984 and 37,180 in 1985.
- Children aged 10–14 years experienced the highest injury frequency.
- Younger children (<5 years) had more serious injuries, including head and neck trauma.
- Boys sustained more frequent and severe injuries.
- Injury patterns varied by age, suggesting psychomotor development influences risk and biomechanics.
Conclusions:
- Skateboarding injuries presented a significant public health issue in the mid-1980s.
- Age-specific injury patterns highlight the need for tailored prevention.
- Recommendations include age restrictions, prohibiting use on roads, and promoting safety gear.