Searching for studies for inclusion in Cochrane Systematic Reviews on injury prevention

Drowning deaths among anglers: Are waders a contributing factor?

Recreational fishing has been a popular activity for Australians over at least the past two centuries. While the use of waders for recreational fishing is widely adopted by participants, there is considerable speculation as to whether waders are contributing to fishing-related drowning deaths. This study involved a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify relevant information and a pilot investigation in a swimming pool to understand the accuracy of the currently available information. Extensive searching indicated that there is no published peer-reviewed evidence on the contribution of waders to drowning deaths, although the grey literature and personal communication with fishers offer a range of opinions, some that aim to discredit the claim that waders contribute to drowning, and others that support it. Improved understanding of the actual effect of waders based on biomechanical buoyancy principles and a pilot study of submersion in controlled conditions contributes to enhanced safety of fishers who choose to wear waders, dispels current myths and informs future studies of fishers wearing waders.

The relationship between ground conditions and injury: what level of evidence do we have?

OBJECTIVES

To identify studies which address the relationship between ground conditions and injury, in a sporting context and to evaluate current practice and provide recommendations for future studies that measure ground conditions and injury risk.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of electronic databases from the earliest records available until the end of 2011, and supplemental hand searching was conducted to identify relevant studies. A classification scale was used to rate the methodological quality of studies.

RESULTS

79 potentially relevant articles were identified, and 27 met all inclusion criteria. They varied in methodological quality, with analytical observational studies the most common design, although four descriptive observational studies, considered to be of lower quality were also identified. Only five studies objectively measured ground conditions, and of studies that used subjective assessment, only one provided descriptors to explain their classifications. It appears that harder/drier grounds are associated with an increased injury risk but the presence of major limitations necessitates cautious interpretation of many key findings.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited high quality evidence of the relationship between injury risk and ground conditions. Further research with high quality designs, and measurement of ground conditions are required to draw more definitive conclusions regarding this relationship.