Injuries and use of protective equipment among college in-line skaters

In-line skating injuries and protective gear use were explored in a sample of college students (n = 217). A minority of respondents wore protective gear. One third of skaters had experienced at least one minor injury, and a smaller percentage had experienced fractures or head injuries. Most minor injuries occurred during the first 1-2 times skating, while more serious injuries tended to occur after at least 50 times on in-line skates. Psychosocial predictors of protective gear use were explored. Four major Health Belief Model constructs (perceived barriers to wearing gear, perceived susceptibility to injury, perceived severity of injury, and perceived benefits of wearing gear) were significant predictors of protective gear use. The Health Belief Model, tested using regression and structural equation modelling, predicted gear typically worn, frequency of gear use, and injuries received while in-line skating. Implications for increasing protective gear use are described.