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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil / Characteristics of equestrian accidents and injuries leading...
BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation2024; 16(1); 184; doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00973-8

Characteristics of equestrian accidents and injuries leading to permanent medical impairment.

Abstract: Equestrian sports, also referred to as equestrianism, is practiced all over the world and a popular leisure activity in Sweden. Equestrianism is the country's second-largest youth sport, and previous studies indicate that accidents are common in equestrianism. However, few previous studies have examined acute equestrian injuries leading to permanent medical impairment (PMI). Methods: By using nationwide insurance data comprising all injured equestrians registered in the Swedish Equestrian Federation, the aim was to analyse characteristics of equestrian accidents and particularly injuries leading to PMI, both in general and by age, gender, incident type, injury type and injured body region. Injury incidence and injuries leading to PMI were examined. All equestrians injured during 2017-2021 were included (n = 6,876), however, only injuries occurring in 2017 and 2018 were used to analyse the risk and the injury distribution of injuries leading to PMI. Injury incidence was calculated separately for males and females, as well as for different age groups, by dividing the number of insurance claims by the number of members multiplied by 1,000. Risk Ratio (RR) was calculated between gender. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to analyse differences in distribution for categorical variables. Results: The majority of injuries affected females, correlating to approximately three times higher risk, compared to males. The age group 21-40 years were associated with the highest injury risk (14.26/1,000 registered riders). In total 12% of all injuries led to PMI. Injuries to the upper and lower extremities, along with fractures, had a higher risk of resulting in a PMI. The risk of injury leading to PMI was higher among riders over 20 years of age. Conclusions: The fact that females face nearly three times the injury risk of males, and riders aged 21-40 had the highest injury risk while younger riders (Luke KL, McAdie T, Smith BP, Warren-Smith AK. New insights into ridden horse behaviour, horse welfare and horse-related safety. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2022;246:105539.); (Havlik HS. Equestrian sport-related injuries: a review of current literature. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2010;9(5):299-302.); (Samuels K, Bettis A, Davenport DL, Bernard AC. Occupational vs. non-occupational equestrians: Differences in demographics and injury patterns. Injury. 2022;53(1):171-5.); (Gharooni A-A, Anwar F, Ramdeep R, Mee H. Severe equestrian injuries: A seven-year review of admissions to a UK major trauma centre. Trauma. 2023;25(1):41-7.); (Hasler RM, Gyssler L, Benneker L, Martinolli L, Schotzau A, Zimmermann H, et al. Protective and risk factors in amateur equestrians and description of injury patterns: A retrospective data analysis and a case - control survey. J Trauma Manag Outcomes. 2011;5:4.); (Meredith L, Brolin K, Ekman R, Thomson R. Analyses of injuries to equestrians in a Swedish district over a 16-year period. Translational Sports Med. 2019;2:270-8.) had a lower risk, indicates that preventive efforts should target both older and female riders. Injuries predominantly resulting in PMI involve upper and lower extremities, however, to prevent the most serious injuries significantly affecting a rider's daily life, measures preventing head and spinal cord neck injuries, must be implemented. Head injures remain the most frequent, serious and most significant group of injuries to prevent and mitigate, within equestrian sports.
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Publication Date: 2024-09-04 PubMed ID: 39232810PubMed Central: PMC11373387DOI: 10.1186/s13102-024-00973-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research examines the characteristics of equestrian accidents and injuries, particularly those which result in permanent medical impairment (PMI). Using national insurance data from Sweden, the study finds a higher risk of injury among female riders and those aged 21-40. Approximately 12% of all injuries resulted in PMI, with injuries to upper and lower extremities, along with fractures, more likely to result in PMI.

Methodology

  • The research is based on data from nation-wide insurance records of all injured equestrians registered under the Swedish Equestrian Federation.
  • The study analyzed characteristics of equestrian accidents, specifically the injuries leading to PMI in relation to age, gender, incident type, injury type and the region of the injured body part.
  • The time frame for the data collected was from 2017 to 2021, although only injuries in 2017 and 2018 were used for analyzing the risk and spread of injuries leading to PMI.
  • Injury incidence and risks were calculated separately for males and females, as well as for different age groups. This was computed by dividing the number of insurance claims by the number of members and then multiplied by 1,000.
  • The Risk Ratio (RR) was calculated between genders, and Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to analyze distribution differences in categorical variables.

Results

  • The majority of injuries occurred in females, with about three times higher risk compared to males. This indicates a gender differential in the risk of equestrian accidents.
  • The age group of 21-40 years had the highest injury risk, implying that age factors into the risk of sustaining an equestrian injury.
  • Out of all injuries, 12% led to PMI, which is a significant percentage requiring further exploration and prevention strategies.
  • Injuries to both the upper and lower extremities, along with fractures, had a higher risk of resulting in PMI.
  • The risk of injuries leading to PMI was higher among riders above 20 years old, emphasizing the need for specific safety measures for this age group.

Conclusions

  • The risk of injury is significantly higher among female riders and individuals aged 21-40. Younger riders seem to have a lower risk.
  • The injuries that predominantly resulted in PMI occurred in the upper and lower extremities. However, to prevent the most critical injuries that significantly affect daily life, measures preventing head and spinal cord neck injuries must also be prioritized.
  • Head injuries remain the most dangerous and most important category of injuries to prevent and mitigate in equestrian sports.
  • The findings call for tailored preventive measures targeting specific high-risk groups, particularly older and female riders.

Cite This Article

APA
Stigson H, Klingegård M. (2024). Characteristics of equestrian accidents and injuries leading to permanent medical impairment. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil, 16(1), 184. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00973-8

Publication

BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation
ISSN: 2052-1847
NlmUniqueID: 101605016
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Pages: 184
PII: 184

Researcher Affiliations

Stigson, Helena
  • Folksam Research, Folksam Insurance Group, Stockholm, Sweden. helena.stigson@folksam.se.
  • Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. helena.stigson@folksam.se.
Klingegård, Maria
  • Folksam Research, Folksam Insurance Group, Stockholm, Sweden. maria.klingegard@folksam.se.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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