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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Environ Res Public Health / Injuries and Overuse Injuries in Show Jumping-A Retrospectiv...
International journal of environmental research and public health2022; 19(4); doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042305

Injuries and Overuse Injuries in Show Jumping-A Retrospective Epidemiological Cross-Sectional Study of Show Jumpers in Germany.

Abstract: This retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study deals with sport-specific injury patterns in show jumping. A total of 363 show jumpers of all levels (S) answered a retrospective questionnaire about injuries and overuse damages which occurred in the course of their careers. Demographic data and information on injuries in various body regions were collected. In addition to descriptive analysis, significance tests were performed. For better statistical comparability with other sports, exposure time was extrapolated with total career duration and weekly training hours, and injuries per 1000 jumping hours were calculated. The study included 251 (69%) women and 112 (31%) men, who were on average 26.9 ± 10.9 years old. The injury rate for the entire collective was 3.7 per 1000 h of exposure. The most frequently affected body region was the head (31%). Overuse complaints play a subordinate role and mainly affect the upper extremities (65%). The riders of the professional lower performance levels are less likely to injure themselves per 1000 h than riders of the higher performance levels. Riders who often or always wore a helmet suffered significantly fewer head injuries (p = 0.008) and had a significantly lower total injury duration than riders who did not wear a helmet (p = 0.006). Similarly, the study showed that riders who often or always wore a safety vest suffered significantly fewer spinal injuries (p = 0.017) and had significantly fewer injuries per 1000 riding hours (p = 0.031) than riders who did not wear a safety vest. Based on the present results, there should be an extension of the general helmet requirement and a requirement to wear safety vests in show jumping in general.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-17 PubMed ID: 35206487PubMed Central: PMC8871840DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042305Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research study analyses the injury patterns sustained by show jumpers, utilizing survey data from 363 show jumpers in Germany. The study proposes improving safety measures in the sport to reduce injuries, especially those to the head and spine.

Review of the Study Methodology

  • The study followed a retrospective epidemiological cross-sectional design, collecting data through questionnaires distributed to both amateur and professional show jumpers.
  • A total of 363 participants were involved in the study, which included descriptive analysis and significance tests to assess injury patterns and prevalence.
  • The questionnaire collected demographic data and information about injuries suffered in various body regions throughout the participants’ careers.
  • To make this study statistically comparable to other sports, the researchers extrapolated exposure time using the total career duration and weekly training hours. This allowed them to calculate injury rates per 1,000 hours of jumping.

Key Findings of the Research

  • The respondent group was predominantly female (69%), with an average age of 26.9 years. The injury rate amongst all respondents was 3.7 per 1,000 hours of exposure.
  • Head injuries were most prevalent, with 31% of all reported incidents. Overuse damages, however, mainly affected the upper extremities, although they were less common overall.
  • Show jumpers at the professional or higher skill level had a higher incidence of injuries per 1,000 hours compared to jumpers at lower performance levels.
  • The use of safety equipment, such as helmets and safety vests, significantly reduced the incidence of head and spinal injuries. Total injury duration was also lower for riders who often wore helmets.

Implications and Recommendations Based on the Findings

  • The results indicate a pressing need for better regulation regarding the use of safety equipment in show jumping, particularly helmets and safety vests.
  • Findings suggest that extending the general helmet requirement and making safety vests mandatory could lead to a significant decrease in the occurrence of head and spinal injuries in this sport.
  • Given that the injury rate was higher among show jumpers at higher performance levels, further research could investigate specific risk factors associated with increasing expertise in the sport.

Cite This Article

APA
Meyer HL, Scheidgen P, Polan C, Beck P, Mester B, Kauther MD, Dudda M, Burggraf M. (2022). Injuries and Overuse Injuries in Show Jumping-A Retrospective Epidemiological Cross-Sectional Study of Show Jumpers in Germany. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042305

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 4

Researcher Affiliations

Meyer, Heinz-Lothar
  • Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Scheidgen, Philip
  • Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Polan, Christina
  • Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Beck, Paula
  • Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Mester, Bastian
  • Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Kauther, Max Daniel
  • Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics and Pediatric Orthopedics, Agaplesion Diakonieklinikum Rotenburg, 27356 Rotenburg, Germany.
Dudda, Marcel
  • Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Burggraf, Manuel
  • Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Athletes / statistics & numerical data
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / etiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / etiology
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Head Protective Devices
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sports
  • Young Adult

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Loder RT, Walker AL, Blakemore LC. Spinal Injuries from Equestrian Activity: A US Nationwide Study. J Clin Med 2025 Jun 26;14(13).
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  3. Cygańska AK, Giżewska B, Zdunek K. Evaluating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Horse Show Jumpers Using the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire. Med Sci Monit 2025 Mar 16;31:e946830.
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