FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Clin J Sport Med / Does Equestrian Helmet Type Affect Head Injury? A Study on E...
Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine2024; 35(6); 646-651; doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001297

Does Equestrian Helmet Type Affect Head Injury? A Study on Equestrian Helmet Use Among Collegiate Athletes.

Abstract: To characterize helmet use, head injury risk, and to examine rider-related factors that influence these variables. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The University of Alabama at Birmingham Equestrian Sports Medicine Collaborative. Methods: In total, 357 equestrians competing at the collegiate level participated in this study. Unassigned: χ 2 tests were used to evaluate potential associations between a rider's experience level, riding style, and use of helmet designed with MIPS with number of falls, past head injuries, and helmet use frequency. Methods: Data regarding helmet use and equestrian-related injuries were collected. χ 2 analysis was used to determine potential associations. Results: More than 50% of athletes reported falling off a horse during the course of 1 year. Head injuries occurred with high frequency. Concussion was the most frequently reported type. More than 50% of athletes with self-reported concussion denied receiving medical treatment. The risk of head injury was similar across helmet brands, and between helmets with Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) and those without. Riders with the most experience were less likely to report sustaining a head injury than those with less experience. Contrary to current safety guidelines, 78% of equestrians said that they would not replace their helmet after every fall. Conclusions: Collegiate equestrians have a high risk of fall-related traumatic head injury. Despite this risk, they report helmet use practices that are not in line with current recommendations regarding helmet replacement.  This suggests that many of the athletes are using protective equipment that does not adequately protect against head injury. Neither helmet brand nor liner type was associated with lower rate of head injury.
Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-11-05 PubMed ID: 39495084DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001297Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigates whether different types of equestrian helmets affect the risk of head injury among collegiate athletes.
  • It also examines helmet use, fall and head injury frequency, and rider-related factors such as experience and riding style.

Study Purpose and Design

  • The primary goal was to characterize helmet use and head injury risk among collegiate equestrians and to analyze factors influencing these variables.
  • The study used a cross-sectional design, collecting data at one point in time from participants competing in collegiate equestrian sports.
  • Data were gathered through surveys focusing on helmet use, fall history, and head injury occurrences.

Participants

  • A total of 357 collegiate equestrian athletes from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Equestrian Sports Medicine Collaborative took part in the study.
  • Participants varied in experience levels and riding styles, allowing comparisons across these factors.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • The data included self-reported information on helmet use frequency, history of falls, and head injuries including concussions.
  • The study specifically noted helmet models equipped with or without the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), a technology designed to reduce rotational forces during impacts.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared (χ²) tests to explore associations between:
    • Rider’s experience level and head injury risk
    • Riding style and helmet use
    • Helmet type (MIPS vs. non-MIPS) and incidence of head injuries
    • Number of falls and helmet replacement behavior

Key Findings

  • More than half the athletes reported falling off their horse at least once within a year.
  • Head injuries were frequent, with concussion being the most commonly reported injury type.
  • Over 50% of athletes who reported concussions did not seek medical treatment, indicating possible underreporting or under-treatment of injuries.
  • Contrary to expectations, the risk of head injury did not differ significantly across different helmet brands or between helmets with and without MIPS technology.
  • More experienced riders had a lower incidence of reported head injuries compared to less experienced riders.
  • A notable 78% of riders said they would not replace their helmet after every fall, which conflicts with current safety recommendations encouraging helmet replacement post-impact.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Collegiate equestrians face a significant risk of traumatic head injury from falls during riding.
  • Despite the high risk, helmet use habits among these athletes do not align with best safety practices, particularly regarding helmet replacement after falls.
  • This non-adherence suggests many athletes may be using helmets that no longer offer optimal protection.
  • No evidence from this study indicates that helmet brand or addition of MIPS technology provides better protection against head injuries, highlighting the need for further research.
  • The study underscores the importance of educating equestrian athletes on proper helmet maintenance, replacement policies, and the risks of recurrent head injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Gould S, Crawford AE, Picken L, Serrano D, Gabriel F, McGwin G, Chandran A, Schrum K. (2024). Does Equestrian Helmet Type Affect Head Injury? A Study on Equestrian Helmet Use Among Collegiate Athletes. Clin J Sport Med, 35(6), 646-651. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000001297

Publication

Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine
ISSN: 1536-3724
NlmUniqueID: 9103300
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 6
Pages: 646-651

Researcher Affiliations

Gould, Sara
  • Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.
  • Birmingham Veterans Administration Health Care Service (VAHCS), Birmingham, Alabama.
Crawford, Anna E
  • Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.
Picken, Lauren
  • Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.
  • Birmingham Veterans Administration Health Care Service (VAHCS), Birmingham, Alabama.
Serrano, Devon
  • Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennesse.
Gabriel, Fernanda
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
McGwin, Gerald
  • Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; and.
Chandran, Avinash
  • Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention, Indianapolis, Indian.
Schrum, Kevin
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.

MeSH Terms

  • Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Young Adult
  • Horses
  • Risk Factors
  • Animals
  • Brain Concussion / epidemiology
  • Universities
  • Adolescent
  • Athletes
  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Adult

References

This article includes 34 references
  1. Tromba S. Complete Guide to Intercollegiate Riding Programs. Horse Illustrated Magazine 2020.
  2. Condie C, Rivara FP, Bergman AB. Strategies of a successful campaign to promote the use of equestrian helmets. Public Health Rep 1993;108:121–126.
  3. Kuhl HN, Ritchie D, Taveira-Dick AC. Concussion history and knowledge base in competitive equestrian athletes. Sports Health 2014;6:136–138.
  4. Lindsay KW, McLatchie G, Jennett B. Serious head injury in sport. Br Med J 1980;281:789–791.
  5. Mutore K, Lim J, Fofana D. Hearing hoofbeats? Think head and neck trauma: a 10-year NTDB analysis of equestrian-related trauma in the USA. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2021;6:e000728.
  6. Havlik HS. Equestrian sport-related injuries: a review of current literature. Curr Sports Med Rep 2010;9:299–302.
  7. Crawford AE, Picken LK, Gabriel FD. CNS and thorax injury and associated risks factors in equestrian sports. Sports Health 2024:19417381241275655.
  8. Ball CG, Ball JE, Kirkpatrick AW. Equestrian injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years of major traumatic injuries. Am J Surg 2007;193:636–640.
  9. Meredith L, Ekman R, Thomson R. Horse-related incidents and factors for predicting injuries to the head. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2018;4:e000398.
  10. Weber CD, Nguyen AR, Lefering R. Blunt injuries related to equestrian sports: results from an international prospective trauma database analysis. Int Orthop 2017;41:2105–2112.
  11. Short SS, Fenton SJ, Scaife ER. Helmet under-utilization by children during equestrian events is associated with increased traumatic brain injury. J Pediatr Surg 2018;53:545–547.
  12. Stanfill AG, Wynja K, Cao X. Helmet use in equestrian athletes: opportunities for intervention. Concussion 2020;6:Cnc85.
  13. Bandte A, Fritzsche F-S, Emami P. Sport-related traumatic brain injury with and without helmets in children. World Neurosurg 2018;111:e434–e439.
  14. Downey DJ. Rodeo injuries and prevention. Curr Sports Med Rep 2007;6:328–332.
  15. Duffy J. Rule Referesher: Dress. Equipment Edition. United States Eventing Association Inc. 2017.
  16. Clark JM, Hoshizaki TB, Annaidh AN. Equestrian helmet standards: do they represent real-world accident conditions?. Ann Biomed Eng 2020;48:2247–2267.
  17. Connor TA, Clark JM, Jayamohan J. Do equestrian helmets prevent concussion? A retrospective analysis of head injuries and helmet damage from real-world equestrian accidents. Sports Med - Open 2019;5:19.
  18. Bonin SJ, DeMarco AL, Siegmund GP. The effect of MIPS, headform condition, and impact orientation on headform kinematics across a range of impact speeds during oblique bicycle helmet impacts. Ann Biomed Eng 2022;50:860–870.
  19. Dodds F, Fabre D, Schrum K. A novel equestrian helmet testing method: helmet liner performance in highly realistic simulation. The Physician and Sportsmedicine 2023;52:381–385.
  20. Camargo F, Gombeski WR, Barger P. Horse-related injuries: causes, preventability, and where educational efforts should be focused. Cogent Food Agric 2018;4:1432168.
  21. Theadom A, Reid D, Hardaker N. Concussion knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in equestrian athletes. J Sci Med Sport 2020;23:1055–1061.
  22. Harris PA, Taylor R, Minor BL. The REDCap consortium: building an international community of software platform partners. J Biomed Inform 2019;95:103208.
  23. Harris PA, Taylor R, Thielke R. Research electronic data capture (REDCap)--a metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support. J Biomed Inform 2009;42:377–381.
  24. Mansournia MA, Collins GS, Nielsen RO. A CHecklist for statistical Assessment of Medical Papers (the CHAMP statement): explanation and elaboration. Br J Sports Med 2021;55:1009–1017.
  25. Chandran A, Morris SN, Wasserman EB. Methods of the national collegiate athletic association injury surveillance program, 2014-2015 through 2018-2019. J Athletic Train 2021;56:616–621.
  26. Glace BW, Kremenic IJ, Hogan DE. Incidence of concussions and helmet use in equestrians. J Sci Med Sport 2023;26:93–97.
  27. Baugh CM, Kroshus E, Lanser BL. Sports medicine staffing across national collegiate athletic association division I, II, and III schools: evidence for the medical model. J Athletic Train 2020;55:573–579.
  28. . Medical care and coverage for student-athletes at away events [press release]. NCAA 2020.
  29. Winkler EA, Yue JK, Burke JF. Adult sports-related traumatic brain injury in United States trauma centers. Neurosurg focus 2016;40:E4.
  30. Yue JK, Winkler EA, Burke JF. Pediatric sports-related traumatic brain injury in United States trauma centers. Neurosurg Focus 2016;40:E3.
  31. . National Collegiate Equestrian Association Manual. Personnel Requirements. Association NCE 2024:37.
  32. Abdulkarim A, Juhdi A, Coffey P. Equestrian injury presentations to a regional trauma centre in Ireland. Emerg Med Int 2018;2018:7394390.
  33. Acton AS, Gaw CE, Chounthirath T. Nonfatal horse-related injuries treated in emergency departments in the United States, 1990-2017. Am J Emerg Med 2020;38:1062–1068.
  34. Carter BT, Richardson MD. A retrospective study of helmet use and head injury in severe equestrian trauma. J Neurosci Rural Pract 2023;14:161–164.

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Duma LA, Begonia MT, Miller B, Jung C, Wood M, Duma BG, Rowson S. Equestrian STAR: Development of an Experimental Methodology for Assessing the Biomechanical Performance of Equestrian Helmets.. Ann Biomed Eng 2025 Sep;53(9):2309-2332.
    doi: 10.1007/s10439-025-03723-0pubmed: 40293632google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,048 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.