Epidemiology of injuries at the Australian 24 hour mountain bike championships

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Author(s)
Taylor, NB
Ranse, J
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2013
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Show full item recordAbstract
Introduction:
To describe injury type and frequency, and the factors influencing these, in endurance mountain bike riders.
Methods:
This study used a cross-sectional retrospective audit of patient report forms, prospective meteorological information and race data over an eight-year period. The Australian twenty-four hour mountain bike championships is held annually in Canberra, Australia. All riders who presented to a first aid station for treatment during the race from 2000-2007, were included. Studied factors influencing injury were race time, ambient temperature and rider gender. Studied outcome measures were injury ...
View more >Introduction: To describe injury type and frequency, and the factors influencing these, in endurance mountain bike riders. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional retrospective audit of patient report forms, prospective meteorological information and race data over an eight-year period. The Australian twenty-four hour mountain bike championships is held annually in Canberra, Australia. All riders who presented to a first aid station for treatment during the race from 2000-2007, were included. Studied factors influencing injury were race time, ambient temperature and rider gender. Studied outcome measures were injury frequency, location, type and management. Results: Of the 14,777 riders over the eight years, 596 required first aid treatment for injuries (4.03%), the majority for minor injuries to extremities. Only 0.25% of riders were referred to hospital, 0.06% by ambulance. The injury incidence was 8.4/1000 bike hours with a race-ending presentation (a patient referred to hospital) incidence of 0.5/1000 bike hours. Patient presentation rates were highest in the first eight hours of a race. Higher average temperatures per year were associated with a greater risk of injury. Females were more likely to be injured. Conclusion: This mountain bike competition was safe with minor injuries to extremities predominating and low referral rates to hospital. Higher injury rates should be anticipated in hotter weather and during the first third of the race. The first aid service organisation provided adequate clinical care at this event.
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View more >Introduction: To describe injury type and frequency, and the factors influencing these, in endurance mountain bike riders. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional retrospective audit of patient report forms, prospective meteorological information and race data over an eight-year period. The Australian twenty-four hour mountain bike championships is held annually in Canberra, Australia. All riders who presented to a first aid station for treatment during the race from 2000-2007, were included. Studied factors influencing injury were race time, ambient temperature and rider gender. Studied outcome measures were injury frequency, location, type and management. Results: Of the 14,777 riders over the eight years, 596 required first aid treatment for injuries (4.03%), the majority for minor injuries to extremities. Only 0.25% of riders were referred to hospital, 0.06% by ambulance. The injury incidence was 8.4/1000 bike hours with a race-ending presentation (a patient referred to hospital) incidence of 0.5/1000 bike hours. Patient presentation rates were highest in the first eight hours of a race. Higher average temperatures per year were associated with a greater risk of injury. Females were more likely to be injured. Conclusion: This mountain bike competition was safe with minor injuries to extremities predominating and low referral rates to hospital. Higher injury rates should be anticipated in hotter weather and during the first third of the race. The first aid service organisation provided adequate clinical care at this event.
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Journal Title
Australasian Journal of Paramedicine
Volume
10
Issue
1
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2013 Paramedics Australasia. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
Public Health and Health Services