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Injuries involving off-road cycling
F P Rivara1, D C Thompson, R S Thompson
1Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA.
The Journal of Family Practice
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Off-road bicycling injuries are mostly minor, with riders less likely to sustain head and face injuries. Increased helmet use among off-road cyclists correlates with these findings.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Trauma Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on off-road bicycling injuries, despite indications of frequent occurrences.
- This study investigates injury patterns in off-road cyclists within a broader bicycle injury and helmet use research context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and injury patterns of off-road cyclists.
- To compare injury rates and types between off-road cyclists and other cyclists.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted across seven emergency departments in Seattle, WA (March 1992 - August 1994).
- Data was collected via questionnaires and medical record abstraction for hospitalized patients and medical examiner cases.
- Included crash and rider characteristics, injury type, and severity.
Main Results:
- Out of 3390 injured cyclists, 127 (3.7%) were off-road riders.
- Off-road cyclists (73% aged 20-39, 86.6% male) demonstrated higher helmet usage (80.3%) compared to other cyclists (49.5%).
- Off-road cyclists experienced 40% fewer head and face injuries, with lower rates of severe injuries (4% vs. 6.8%) and hospitalization (6.3% vs. 9.4%).
Conclusions:
- The majority of off-road bicycling injuries are minor.
- Off-road cyclists exhibit a lower incidence of head and face injuries and higher helmet utilization rates compared to other cyclist groups.