Skateboarding-related Injuries Among Males 35-55 Years
Old in the US
Ches Jones
Skateboarding is a popular activity among teenagers and young adults. However, the activity
has been increasing in popularity among older adults the past 10 years. Injuries from skateboarding among older males have not been reported in the literature. The purpose of this study was
to review emergency room reports documented in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance
System for skateboarding injuries among males 35-55 from 2000-2009. An estimated total of
29,450 reports were documents in NEISS. A majority of the injuries occurred to males 35-40
(55%), who were white (72%). The most common locations for the injury were the home, street,
and place of recreation. The most common body regions injured were the hand, arm, and upper
trunk.
The head region was noted in 15% of reports. The most common diagnoses were fractures
(40%) and soft tissue injuries (36%). Results noted that fractures are a concern for this age group
as well as the number of injuries affecting the head region. While it is not known the skateboarding skill level of the injured, older participants should receive proper education and training
before participating in an activity that has a high potential for injury. As the rate for participation
in skateboarding increases for older adults, so should the concern for serious injury. Retail stores
specializing in skateboards should consider offering trainings and advice on the activity for enthusiasts who lack sufficient skateboarding skills.
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