Acute injuries from mountain biking.

Acute injuries from mountain biking.
T K Chow, M D Bracker, and K Patrick
Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical
Center, CA 92354.
See commentary "More on mountain biking." on page 708.
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.
Abstract
We questioned members of 2 southern California off-road bicycling
organizations about injuries associated with the use of all-terrain
bicycles. Cyclists were asked about riding and safety habits, the kind
(s) of injury sustained with their most recent accident and whether
they sought medical treatment, and the circumstances of the accident.
Of 459 mailed surveys, 268 (58.4%) were returned. Respondents (82.8%
of whom were male) ranged in age from 14 to 68 years. Of these, 225
(84%) had been injured while riding all-terrain bicycles, 51% in the
past year. Although most injuries were characterized as minor, 26%
required professional medical care, and 4.4% of those injured were
admitted to hospital. Extremity injuries--abrasions, lacerations,
contusions--occurred in 201 (90%) cyclists with 27 (12%) sustaining a
fracture or dislocation. High levels of helmet use (88%) may explain
the low occurrence of head and neck trauma (12%). Frequent riding and
riding on paved terrain were associated with increased severity of
injury, although most accidents--197 (87.6%)--occurred off paved
roads. These results suggest that, compared with regular bicyclists,
all-terrain cyclists have more, but not necessarily more severe,
injuries. Clinicians and emergency medical personnel should be aware
that the increasing popularity of off-road cycling may change the
frequency and nature of bicycling injuries.
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Selected References
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