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Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses2025; 32(1); 15-22; doi: 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000828

Motorcycle and Equestrian Trauma: An ACS TQIP Comparative Study.

Abstract: Motorcycle and equestrian accidents can share similar trauma mechanisms and can result in serious injuries. Objective: This study aims to analyze variations in injuries and safety standards through types, severity, and outcomes of traumatic injuries in both motorcycle and equestrian riders. Methods: Using the 2020 ACS TQIP database, we split patients into two groups based on their primary injury. We chose codes V28 and V80.0 to identify non-collision fall or throw injuries for motorcycle and equestrian accidents respectively. A total of 17,730 motorcycle and 5,461 equestrian patients were identified. Results: Motorcyclists were more likely to experience external/superficial injuries (41.34% vs. 29.08%, p < .001) and chest trauma (5.15% vs. 3.18%, p < .001), while equestrian trauma resulted in more injuries to the abdomen and pelvic content (24.07% vs. 15.75%, p < .001), extremities and pelvic girdle (9.85% vs. 4.98%, p < .001), and head/neck (15.57% vs. 12.16%, p < .001) comparatively. Motorcyclists also had a higher average length of inpatient stay (6.06 (8.03) vs. 4.32 (4.23) days, p < .001). Helmet use was more common among motorcyclists than horseback riders (57.79% vs. 24.24%, p < .001). The average injury severity score between the two groups was not significantly different. Conclusions: These data show the different injuries observed between both activities and the need for increased safety equipment, especially in the case of hip and pelvic injuries among equestrians. The low rate of helmet, especially among equestrian riders, is concerning despite broad education regarding their benefits.
Copyright © 2025 Society of Trauma Nurses.
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Publication Date: 2025-01-27 PubMed ID: 39879267DOI: 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000828Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Comparative Study

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 compares injury patterns, severity, and safety equipment use between motorcycle and equestrian trauma using data from the 2020 ACS TQIP database.
  • It identifies differences in injury types and outcomes, highlighting areas for improved safety measures, especially helmet use among equestrian riders.

Study Purpose and Background

  • Motorcycle and equestrian accidents often involve similar trauma mechanisms such as falls or throws.
  • Despite this, injury types, severity, and safety practices may differ due to factors like protective equipment and riding dynamics.
  • The study aims to analyze and compare variations in traumatic injuries and safety standards between these two groups.

Data Source and Methods

  • Data was obtained from the 2020 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS TQIP) database.
  • Patients were divided into two groups based on injury coding:
    • Motorcycles: code V28 – non-collision fall or throw injuries associated with motorcycle accidents.
    • Equestrian: code V80.0 – non-collision fall or throw injuries associated with horse riding accidents.
  • Total patients analyzed:
    • 17,730 motorcyclists
    • 5,461 equestrian riders

Key Findings on Injury Patterns

  • Motorcycle Riders:
    • More likely to sustain external/superficial injuries (41.34% vs. 29.08%)
    • Higher incidence of chest trauma (5.15% vs. 3.18%)
  • Equestrian Riders:
    • Higher frequency of abdominal and pelvic content injuries (24.07% vs. 15.75%)
    • More extremity and pelvic girdle injuries (9.85% vs. 4.98%)
    • Greater head and neck injuries (15.57% vs. 12.16%)

Severity, Hospital Stay, and Safety Equipment Usage

  • Average Injury Severity Score:
    • No statistically significant difference between motorcyclists and equestrians.
  • Length of Inpatient Stay:
    • Longer for motorcyclists (average 6.06 days) compared to equestrians (4.32 days).
  • Helmet Use:
    • More prevalent in motorcyclists (57.79%) than equestrian riders (24.24%).
    • Indicates a potential area for safety improvements, especially among equestrians.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Distinct injury profiles exist between motorcyclists and equestrian riders; for instance, equestrians suffer more pelvic and extremity injuries.
  • The similar injury severity scores suggest both activities carry substantial injury risks despite different injury patterns.
  • Motorcyclists’ greater use of helmets correlates with injury types but shows room for improvement in protecting other injury sites.
  • Low helmet use among equestrian riders highlights the need for enhanced education and safety enforcement in this community.
  • Recommendations include increasing protective equipment use—particularly for hips and pelvis in equestrians—to reduce injury severity and improve outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Ross DE, Ghodasara SK, Roskam JS, Gaccione AG, DiFazio LT, Bilaniuk JW, Nemeth ZH. (2025). Motorcycle and Equestrian Trauma: An ACS TQIP Comparative Study. J Trauma Nurs, 32(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1097/JTN.0000000000000828

Publication

Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses
ISSN: 1078-7496
NlmUniqueID: 9512997
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 1
Pages: 15-22

Researcher Affiliations

Ross, Daniel E
  • Department of Surgery, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey.
Ghodasara, Satyam K
    Roskam, Justin S
      Gaccione, Amanda G
        DiFazio, Louis T
          Bilaniuk, Jaroslaw W
            Nemeth, Zoltan H

              MeSH Terms

              • Humans
              • Motorcycles / statistics & numerical data
              • Male
              • Female
              • Adult
              • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data
              • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
              • Injury Severity Score
              • Middle Aged
              • Horses
              • Animals

              Conflict of Interest Statement

              The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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              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
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