Winter Sports Issue

Snow and ice were historically used in cold climates as a means of transportation. On snow, variations of skiing and sledding served as modes of locomotion. On ice, skating could facilitate transport. Eventually, as more leisure time became available, sports were developed related to ice skating, skiing, and sledding. Winter sports were originally only played in Nordic climates and were predominantly recreational. But with the advent of artificial ice and snow, winter sports greatly increased in popularity, even in warmer climates.

Winter sports can now be undertaken not only recreationally but also at a competitive level and even professionally. Some top athletes, such as hockey players in the National Hockey League, have become celebrities and cultural icons in their countries. With the increasing popularity of winter sports, the Winter Olympic Games were introduced in 1924 and took place in Chamonix, France. The Games have been held ever since for the pleasure of millions of viewers, with many athletes who practice winter sports becoming recognized internationally.

High-level winter sports athletes undertake sport-specific training with exacting requirements. Each sport brings with it the potential for particular harm. When evaluating the imaging of any injury, knowledge of the sport itself is critical to evaluate injury patterns. Understanding different disciplines is important, such as the underlying sport-specific biomechanics and the pathophysiology of injury. This issue of Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology reviews the background, pathophysiology, and imaging appearance of common injuries in ice hockey, alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, skating, and sledding with an emphasis on sport-specific injuries.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2022