Abstract
A case-control study was conducted among Dutch downhill skiers. This article presents
data on the circumstances of the accident leading to injury and on personal and environmental
risk factors for both cases (n = 572) and controls (n = 576). Most accidents (84%)
happened on the pistes and ski lifts were involved in about 6% of them. Bad condition
of the ski run (30%) and lost balance (24%) were the direct causes most frequently
mentioned. Risk seemed to be constant for particular days and moments of the day.
Injury risk for the individual appeared to rise with increasing duration of exposure,
although very small durations had an elevated risk as well. A relatively low risk
was observed for skiers who reported to be only moderately rested (OR = 0.4) and for
those who admitted a certain fear of having a ski accident (OR = 0.6). A relatively
high risk was observed for the presence of icy spots (OR= 1.4), while poor visibility
(OR = 0.4), the presence of clouds (OR = 0.5), and perceived coldness (OR = 0.5) were
associated with a relatively low injury risk. No recommendations for prevention can
be based on these results. Most factors mentioned are not open to manipulation and
further quantification should involve prospective study designs and independent measurements
of these factors.
Key words
downhill skiing - injury - risk factor - weather - snow quality - fear - education
- menstruation
