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Effects of helmet laws and education campaigns on helmet use in young skiers
Martin Burtscher1, Gerhard Ruedl1, Werner Nachbauer1
1Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Objective:
Helmet-compulsory laws for young skiers, accompanied by educational campaigns, have recently been implemented in several countries. However, data regarding compliance to these interventions during adolescence are scarce.
Methods:
In 2011, a questionnaire survey was performed among 10- to 16-year-old students in 62 Austrian secondary schools.
Results:
A total of 2655 questionnaires were completed by 1376 males and 1279 females. Helmet use was reported in 99% of 10- to 15-year-old skiers (for whom helmets are mandatory) and in 91% of 16-year-old skiers (for whom helmets are not mandatory).
Conclusion:
Compliance with helmet laws, which were accompanied by educational campaigns, was very high among adolescent skiers. Nevertheless, helmet use decreased slightly during adolescence, and this decrease was particularly pronounced when helmet use was no longer mandatory. Sophisticated multifaceted interventions may have the potential to increase the use of ski helmets among individuals who refuse to wear helmets.
