Slippery Slopes

American Fitness, Nov, 1998

Medical data recorded between 1994 and 1996 reveals spinals injuries occurred four times more often in snowboarders than skiers. Fractures were the most common spinal injury for both skiers and snowboarders, with 72% of the skiers and 62% of the snowboarders suffering spinal fractures.

What can be done to prevent injury? "Since jumping was the primary cause of injury, more research needs to be under-taken to define effective prevention strategies," says Fadi Tarazi, M.D., department of orthopaedics, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences and co-author of the study. "Information about these risks should be studied and techniques for safe jumping should be taught."