Injuries in Handicapped Alpine Ski Racers

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Adaptive skiing offers recreational and competitive opportunities for disabled individuals.
• Disabled skiers share injury risks with able-bodied skiers, compounded by disability-specific challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the injury rates and types among disabled skiers.
• To compare injury risks between disabled and non-disabled skiers.
• To identify specific hazards and preventative measures for disabled skiers.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study was conducted with 68 disabled skiers.
• Injury data was collected and analyzed per 1,000 skier-days.
• Common injury types and specific risks were documented.

Main Results:

• The injury rate for disabled skiers was 2 per 1,000 skier-days.
• This rate is lower than the 2.8 to 5.35 per 1,000 skier-days observed in non-disabled skiers.
• Common injuries included leg fractures, contusions, lacerations, and knee injuries. Outrigger-related injuries were noted as a hazard for amputee skiers.

Conclusions:

• Disabled skiers experience a lower overall injury rate compared to their non-disabled counterparts.
• Preventative strategies such as strengthening legs, safe outrigger use, and correct ski pole handling can reduce injury incidence.
• Addressing disability-specific risks, like outrigger injuries for amputees, is crucial for skier safety.