INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL RISK FACTORS ON ALPINE SKIING INJURIES IN RECREATIONAL SKIERS

The main goal of this study was to identify potential external risk factors for injury in recreational skiers through a survey questionnaire. Subjects were divided into injured skiers and a control group who never had an injury. Injured skiers (N=212) answered questions that helped define potential risk factors. The control group (N=206) completed the same questionnaire but without questions about injury. Common questions were used to determine the possibility of injury using Chi-Square test, and additional questions were used to determine the influence on injury severity using Fisher’s test. An analysis of external factors showed that formal ski school was not statistically related to the possibility and severity of injury, but significantly increased knowledge of skiing. Skiing with another person did not decrease the possibility of injury but did increase the severity of injury. Visibility, field of vision, condition of the slope, temperature, and weather conditions are not statistically related to injury severity, but when combined, they could be an important factor in the possibility of injury.