Moutain Bike Injuries: a Ten Year Retrospective Evaluation 1998 to 2007

Abstract

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS database) provided data regarding mountain bike related injuries from 1998 to 2007. Each case was evaluated and assigned an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score. Data were evaluated to determine trends in frequency, body segment injured, and injury type. Data were further evaluated for sex related and age related trends in the previously mentioned variables.Findings and Conclusions: Injury frequency generally increased from 1998 through 2001. A downward trend began in 2002. Injury severity was low (AIS = 1.33), with upper extremity injuries being most common (48.69%). Fractures were the most common injury type (28.37%). Males sustained injury more frequently than females (83.55%); although, injury severity did not differ by sex. Injury severity was highest for the 45 to 54 year old age group. The average age of injured persons was 29.56 with age increasing from 28.03 to 33.00 from 1998 to 2007. Injury frequency increased from 1998 to 2001 but declined after 2002. Injury severity was low, indicating that mountain biking is a relatively safe sport. Safety is not affected by the rider's sex, rather by age (being in the 45 to 54 age group).