Severe accidents due to windsurfing in the Aegean Sea

Delaware coast Delaware surf zone injury demographics

INTRODUCTION

Beaches are a popular destination for recreation activities. Surf zone injuries (SZI) can occur resulting from a variety of in-water activities. Little is known regarding the sustained injury types, or demographics of injured persons and activities leading to injuries.

METHODS

This study examines the distribution of SZI types, activities and populations occurring on Delaware Beaches as recorded by a local level III trauma center (Department of Emergency Medicine at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, Delaware).

RESULTS

There were 2021 injuries over the eight study years (2010-2017). The relative demographics of the injured population are similar despite fluctuating injury totals (mean [SD], 253.1 [104.4]). Non-locals (n=1757) were 6.7 times more likely to be injured as their local (n=264) counterparts (RR, 2.62; 95% CI, 2.08-3.31). Males (n=1258) were 1.7 times more likely to be injured than their female (n=763) counterparts (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.21-1.37). Serious injuries, defined as patients requiring admission to a trauma service, represented 9.1% (n=184) of injuries. Fatal SZI (n=6) were categorized as serious injuries. Wading (50.1%) was found to be the dominant activity associated with injury followed by body surfing (18.4%), and body boarding (13.3%).

CONCLUSION

To the authors' knowledge, this study is one of the first to investigate long-term trends in SZI data, injury activity, and demographics. Better understanding of the characteristics of injuries will allow for improved awareness techniques, targeted at populations with higher injury rates.

Windsurfing vs kitesurfing: Injuries at the North Sea over a 2-year period

AIM

To analyze all windsurfing and kitesurfing (kiteboarding) injuries presented at our coastal hospital over a 2-year period.

METHODS

Twenty-five windsurfers (21 male; aged 31 ± 8 years) and 32 kitesurfers (23 male; aged 29 ± 11 years) presented at our hospital during the 2-year study period. Various injury data were recorded, including transport to hospital and treatment. After a median follow-up of 16 mo (range, 7-33 mo), 18 windsurfers (72%) and 26 kitesurfers (81%) completed questionnaires on the trauma mechanisms, the use of protective gear, time spent on windsurfing or kitesurfing, time to return to sports, additional injuries, and chronic disability.

RESULTS

Most patients sustained minor injuries but severe injuries also occurred, including vertebral and tibial plateau fractures. The lower extremities were affected the most, followed by the head and cervical spine, the upper extremities, and the trunk. The injury rates were 5.2 per 1000 h of windsurfing and 7.0 per 1000 h of kitesurfing (P = 0.005). The injury severity was the same between groups (P = 1.0). Less than 30% of the study population used protective gear. Kitesurfers had a higher number of injuries, and required transport by ambulance, inpatient hospital stay and operative treatment more often than windsurfers, but these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The median time to return to windsurfing and kitesurfing was 5 and 4 wk, respectively (P = 0.79). Approximately one-third of the patients in each group experienced chronic symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Kitesurfing results in a significantly higher injury rate than windsurfing in the same environmental conditions but the severity of the injuries does not differ.

The epidemiology and aetiology of injuries in sailing

Sailors are at risk of injury and an understanding of the risks and causes of injury are important in helping to reduce their frequency and severity. Injuries are specific to the class of sailing. In elite Olympic-class sailing the incidence of injury is approximately 0.2 injuries/athlete/year, with the lumbar and thoracic spine and the knee most commonly injured. Poor hiking technique and inadequate leg strength are thought to predispose the knee to injury. Injuries in novice and recreational sailing are predominantly acute in nature with contusions and abrasions typically occurring as a result of collisions with the boom or other equipment during manoeuvres. The only report of injuries in Paralympic-class sailing found a high rate of approximately 100 injuries/1000 days of sailing, likely due to severe sailing conditions. The majority of injuries were chronic in nature, predominantly sprains and strains of the upper extremity. The risk of windsurfing injury ranged from 1.1 to 2.0 injuries/person/year, with the majority of injuries being acute, typically due to impact with equipment. Severe injuries are frequent, with competitive male windsurfers often admitted to hospital for treatment. Chronic lower back injuries are also common in windsurfers and may be related to prolonged lordosis (lumbar extension) of the spine while 'pumping' the sail. In professional big-boat sailing, America's Cup studies have reported an incidence of approximately 2.2 injuries/1000 hours of sailing, with one study reporting a higher incidence of injury during fitness training sessions (8.6 injuries/1000 hours of fitness training). The main cause of injury seems to be non-specific overuse, with joint and ligament sprains and tendinopathies being the most common. Grinders and bowmen are at greatest risk of injury, with the repetitive nature of 'grinding' a contributing factor. In round-the-world offshore racing, 1.5 injuries/person/round-the-world race (amateur), and 3.2 injuries/person/race (professional) have been reported, with the majority being impact injuries (e.g. contusions, lacerations, fractures and sprains). Helmsmen experience mostly upper-limb overuse injuries as a result of 'steering', while mastmen and bowmen are at greater risk of acute injuries. Illnesses and non-injury-related complaints account for a large proportion of medical conditions in these events. Sailors of all classes and abilities seem to be at risk of injury, particularly from acute impacts with equipment that might be reduced by wearing protective clothing and more ergonomic boat design. High repetition activities, such as hiking, pumping, grinding and steering, are major causes of overuse injury in experienced sailors. Informed coaching of correct technique and appropriate progression of physical and technical developments are required. Competitive sailors should undergo regular health screening with specific strengthening of high-risk muscle groups, synergists and stabilizers. The scarcity of analytical studies of sailing injuries is a major concern, and there is a need for thorough prospective studies.

Incidence of sports injuries in elite competitive and recreational windsurfers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of injury in windsurfing and to consider methods of prevention.

METHODS

A total of 107 raceboard (RB) and wave/slalom (WS) national/international competitors and recreational (REC) windsurfers completed a questionnaire on injury incidence over two years. Recurrent injury, ability level, and any preventive measures taken were noted.

RESULTS

Overall the injury incidence was 1.5/person/year. The WS group suffered more injuries (2.0/person/year) than the RB (1.0) or REC (1.2) group. The most common injury was muscle strain at 35% of new injuries, much higher than in earlier studies. Overall 45% of new injuries were muscle/tendon strains (RB 55%, WS 42%, and REC 43%) and 8% were ligament sprains. In the WS group cuts and abrasions were common. The WS and REC groups reported five and one case of concussion respectively. Nearly a quarter (22%) of new lower body injuries were lower back muscular strain, with 34% of recurrent injuries. Approximately 60% of the remaining lower body soft tissue injuries involved the knee or lower leg, with the ankle/foot most often involved. The shoulder, upper arm, and elbow were the sites of 41% of new upper body soft tissue injuries. The WS group reported 250% more recurrent muscular strains than the RB group. Recurrent ligament injuries (particularly knee) were most common in the WS group. The RB group reported recurrent serious bruising to the lower leg.

CONCLUSION

The injury incidence was 1.5/person/year with a high incidence of new and recurrent muscular strain. Lower back muscular strain was prevalent, indicating the need for preventive measures. Wave/slalom was associated with more new and recurrent injuries and the need for head protection.

Cervical Spine Injuries in Ocean Bathers: Wave-related Accidents

OBJECTIVE:

Spine injuries can occur secondary to several aquatic recreational activities. A series of cases of patients who experienced cervical spine injuries secondary to ocean waves accidents is presented. A description and analysis of this kind of injury is performed.

METHODS:

Sixteen patients were treated from January 1999 to May 2005. The mechanism of accident, mechanism of injury, neurological status, radiographic findings, associated injuries, and treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS:

These injuries are common among older patients. More severe and devastating injuries occurred in young patients. The most common mechanism of injury is hyperextension associated to spondylosis, which usually caused central cord syndrome.

CONCLUSION:

Wave-related accidents in ocean bathers are secondary to lack of experience of swimming in the ocean and underestimating the danger of waves. Although different types of mechanism of injury occurred, hyperextension was the most common. High-risk patients are older people with preexisting cervical spondylosis.

[Kitesurfing injuries. A trendy youth sport ]

The aim of this review article is to give an overview of current knowledge on kitesurfing injuries. As part of a prospective study, the overall self-reported injury rate was 7.0 per 1000 h of practice. One fatal accident and 11 severe injuries occurred. The most commonly injured sites were foot and ankle, head, chest, and knee. Contusions, abrasions, and lacerations were amongst the most frequent injuries. None of the athletes suffering a head injury used a helmet; the board had been flung against the head by the elastic board leech in all cases. The most common injury situation was the jump. Fifty-six percent of the injuries were attributed to the inability to detach the kite from the harness. There was a tendency that athletes using a quick release system, which enables the surfers to detach the kite in emergency situations, sustained fewer injuries than athletes without such a release system. In conclusion, kitesurfing is a sport with a comparably high injury rate. Preventive measures can reduce the injury rate considerably.

A prospective study of kitesurfing injuries

BACKGROUND

To date, the pattern and rate of kitesurfing injuries are largely unclear.

HYPOTHESIS

The pattern and rate of kitesurfing injuries are comparable to that of contact sports such as football and soccer.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

METHODS

The study was conducted over a 6-month period of 1 season and included 235 kitesurfers.

RESULTS

The number of self-reported injuries was 124, for an overall self-reported injury rate of 7 per 1000 hours of practice. One fatal accident (polytrauma) and 11 severe injuries occurred during the study period (2 knee ligament injuries and 9 fractures at various sites). The most commonly injured sites were the foot and ankle (28%), skull (14%), chest (13%), and knee (13%). Fifty-six percent of the injuries were attributed to the inability to detach the kite from the harness in a situation involving loss of control over the kite. There was a tendency for athletes using a quick-release system to sustain fewer injuries than athletes without such a release system.

CONCLUSION

Kitesurfing can be considered a high-risk sport.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The use of a quick-release system that enables the surfers to detach the kite in case of an accident might aid in the prevention of injuries.