Children Wear Helmets During Cycling, Snow Sports, and Other Activities to Prevent Head Injuries

• Damage caused by cycling and wearing helmets

Wearing a helmet can effectively reduce the risk of head and facial injuries caused by cycling and alleviate the severity; 하지만, helmets that are not suitable or do not meet safety standards may increase the risk of head injury for riders. Although bicycle helmets are effective in reducing head and facial injuries, current literature shows no clear effect on neck injuries. Although there is ample evidence supporting the efficacy of bicycle helmets in preventing head injuries, the actual usage rate of helmets is still very low. A nationwide cross-sectional survey data in the United States shows that 42% 에게 48% of children always wear helmets, 그리고 29% 에게 31% of children never wear helmets while riding bicycles. Among children injured while riding bicycles, helmet usage is even lower. Specific epidemiological factors can also affect the usage and accessibility of bicycle helmets. A multiple factor analysis conducted in 2016 showed that helmet usage rates were lower among families with low income, Hispanic individuals, and those aged 10-14 (compared to young children). Living with adults who always wear helmets while riding bicycles is the strongest predictor of children wearing helmets. The legislation on wearing helmets while riding bicycles has increased the usage rate of helmets. 현재, 21 states and the District of Columbia in the United States have enacted mandatory children’s bicycle helmet laws. Through legislation, head injuries and deaths caused by cycling have also been reduced. Education (including schools, hospitals, and community education), gifting helmets, and enforcing helmet legislation and education are all important measures to promote the wearing of helmets while cycling.

• Damage caused by snow sports and wearing helmets

Skiing and snowboarding (collectively known as snow sports) are popular activities among children and adolescents, but there is also a risk of head, neck, and limb injuries. Strong evidence suggests that wearing helmets can effectively reduce head injuries related to snow sports (OR 0.58; 90% confidence interval: 0.51-0.77), may also reduce and prevent neck injuries (OR 0.82; 90% confidence interval: 0.64-1.04). Although some people are concerned that wearing helmets may increase the adventurous behavior of skiers and snowboarders, the research results are mixed. 전반적인, the risk of injury caused by wearing helmets during snow sports is not high. Although it is clear that wearing helmets can reduce head injuries during snow sports, the use of helmets is still not widespread. At present, research on the effectiveness of education in promoting children to wear helmets during snow sports is very limited. Prior to passing the Snow Sports Helmet Act, Nova Scotia, Canada launched an educational campaign aimed at increasing helmet usage by raising awareness of helmet effectiveness. Through this educational activity, the helmet usage rate increased from the baseline of 74% 에게 90%, with higher helmet usage rates among young athletes, almost all children, 그리고 97% of adolescents wearing helmets.

• Other sports and injuries related to wearing helmets

In addition to cycling and snow sports, helmets also play a crucial role in reducing head injuries in children caused by other sports and activities. Current evidence supports that helmets should also be worn in other non motorized wheeled activities, in addition to organized sports such as cycling, ice skating, equestrianism, football, and baseball. Compared to other skating activities, head injuries are more common among skaters in ice skating and other non motorized wheeled activities. Compared to roller skating or roller skating, skating has a higher proportion of children (13.3%) who suffer head injuries. 하지만, current research on the effectiveness of helmets for non motorized wheeled activities is still very limited, but the research results show that wearing helmets can reduce the probability of head injuries in children while skateboarding, 롤러 블레이드, and riding scooters, and lower the risk of traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents. Multiple studies have also been conducted on the wearing of helmets by children in equestrian, bull riding, and other cowboy sports activities. It has been found that wearing helmets is related to injury severity scores, 외상성 뇌 손상, and reduced ICU hospitalization rates. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that not wearing helmets is an independent predictor of traumatic brain injury (OR 2.5); 95% confidence interval: 1.1-6.3). 게다가, intracranial hemorrhage is more common in children who do not wear helmets.

• 결론

Helmets can reduce the risk of head and facial injuries in children caused by sports and activities. Among them, the evidence related to cycling is the most powerful, and it has also been confirmed in snow sports and other sports. For cyclists of all ages, wearing helmets can reduce the risk of head, brain, and severe brain injuries by 63% 에게 88%. Legislation on helmet wearing can increase helmet usage and prevent head injuries during cycling and skiing, but there is still a lack of relevant literature on other sports. In order to promote the use of helmets and reduce deaths and injuries, a multi pronged strategy must be adopted, including legislation, law enforcement, and community-based and clinical education activities and projects. Wearing helmets is one of the effective ways to maintain children’s activity while ensuring their safety.