Why do we have to wear helmets when skateboarding?
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The Importance of Wearing Helmets When Skateboarding
Head Injury Risks in Skateboarding
Skateboarding, a sport with global popularity, poses significant risks of head injuries. Studies have shown that head injuries can account for up to 75% of all injuries in skateboarding, with helmet use being alarmingly low at less than 35% among recreational skateboarders and even lower in competitive settings2. The high incidence of falls and crashes during skateboarding events underscores the need for protective gear, particularly helmets, to mitigate the risk of severe head injuries2.
Effectiveness of Helmets in Preventing Head Injuries
Research consistently supports the effectiveness of helmets in reducing the risk and severity of head injuries. For instance, studies on skiing and snowboarding, which share similar injury mechanisms with skateboarding, have demonstrated that helmet use can reduce the risk of head injuries by 15% to 60%4 5. These findings are corroborated by data showing that helmets significantly lower the incidence of head injuries involving loss of consciousness4. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that helmets would offer similar protective benefits for skateboarders.
Helmet Standards and Performance
Helmets designed for skateboarding are subject to various national and international standards, ensuring they provide adequate protection against skull fractures and intracranial injuries. Tests have shown that certified helmets perform well in impact attenuation, even though their performance may degrade after multiple impacts2. This highlights the importance of using certified helmets and replacing them after significant impacts to maintain their protective efficacy.
Attitudes Towards Helmet Use
Despite the clear benefits, helmet use among skateboarders remains low, influenced by cultural and social factors. Many skateboarders view helmet use as an issue of control and personal freedom, often resisting mandatory helmet rules imposed by authorities1. Additionally, factors such as vanity, discomfort, and peer influence play significant roles in whether skateboarders choose to wear helmets8. However, positive influences from friends, family, and parental rules can increase helmet ownership and use8.
Public Perception and Legislation
Public perception strongly supports helmet use for injury prevention. A recent poll indicated that 97% of respondents believe that serious injuries can be prevented by wearing helmets during activities like skateboarding3. However, in regions without comprehensive helmet legislation, helmet use remains suboptimal. For example, in Toronto, only 48.9% of users of non-motorized wheeled transportation devices, including skateboarders, wore helmets7. This suggests that legislation could play a crucial role in increasing helmet use and enhancing safety.
Conclusion
Wearing helmets while skateboarding is crucial for reducing the risk and severity of head injuries. Despite the cultural resistance and low usage rates, the protective benefits of helmets are well-documented. Efforts to increase helmet use should include promoting positive social influences, implementing comprehensive legislation, and ensuring the availability of certified helmets. As skateboarding continues to grow in popularity, especially with its inclusion in mainstream sports events like the Olympics, addressing helmet use will be essential for the safety and well-being of participants.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Skateboarding, Helmets, and Control
Helmet use in skateboarding is a complex issue of safety and control, affecting both participant control and government accountability as the sport becomes more mainstream.
Managing head injury risks in competitive skateboarding: what do we know?
Helmets styled for skateboarding offer protection against skull fractures and intracranial injuries, but more research is needed to understand and control head injury risks in competitive skateboarding.
Literature Review
Very Rigorous JournalEveryone (but me) should wear a helmet
Ninety-seven percent of respondents to a recent poll either strongly agreed or agreed that serious injuries can be prevented by wearing a helmet during activities such as skateboarding, cycling, in-line skating and using scooters, and 95% strongly agreed or agreed that it is very important to wear a
The effectiveness of helmet wear in skiers and snowboarders: a systematic review
Helmet use significantly reduces the risk of head injuries in skiing and snowboarding, without increasing cervical spine or neck injuries.
Systematic Review
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedAn evidence-based review: Efficacy of safety helmets in the reduction of head injuries in recreational skiers and snowboarders
Safety helmets effectively reduce the risk and severity of head injuries in recreational skiing and snowboarding without increasing the risk of neck, cervical spine, or risk compensation behavior.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedChildren should wear helmets while ice-skating: a comparison of skating-related injuries.
Children should wear helmets while ice-skating due to a higher risk of head injuries compared to skateboarders, rollerskaters, and in-line skaters.
Observational StudyPrevalence of helmet use by users of bicycles, push scooters, inline skates and skateboards in Toronto and the surrounding area in the absence of comprehensive legislation: an observational study
In the absence of comprehensive legislation, only half of non-motorised, wheeled transportation device users in Toronto are choosing to wear a helmet to protect against traumatic brain injury.
Observational StudyHelmet ownership and use among skateboarders: Utilisation of the Health Belief Model
Helmet ownership and use among undergraduate skateboarders are influenced by emotional benefits, friends and family cues to action, parental rules, and lower perceived danger, with friends and family cues to action being associated with helmet use.
Observational StudyFactors Influencing Helmet Use, Head Injury, and Hospitalization Among Children Involved in Skateboarding and Snowboarding Accidents.
Age, race/ethnicity, location of boarding, and engaging in skateboarding influence helmet use, head injury, and hospitalization rates in children involved in skateboarding and snowboarding accidents.
Observational StudyHelmet Use and Risk-Taking Behavior Among Skiers and Snowboarders.
Inconsistent helmet use among skiers and snowboarders is associated with risk-taking behavior and risk compensation, with male gender, younger age, snowboarding, higher perceived sport ability, more days per year skiing or snowboarding, and more time spent in the terrain park.
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