Open AccessHead and Spinal Injuries in Equestrian Sports: Update on Epidemiology, Clinical Outcomes, and Injury Prevention
Author(s) -
Jennifer Gates,
Cindy Y. Lin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current sports medicine reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.424
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1537-8918
pISSN - 1537-890X
DOI - 10.1249/jsr.0000000000000674
Subject(s) - medicine , injury prevention , poison control , spinal cord injury , concussion , sports medicine , epidemiology , athletes , occupational safety and health , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , suicide prevention , human factors and ergonomics , spinal column , medical emergency , spinal cord , surgery , pathology , psychiatry
Equestrian sports represent a variety of activities involving a horse and rider. Due to the unpredictable nature of horses, their height, and potential high speeds involved, equestrian athletes are at risk of head and spinal injuries. This review describes the epidemiology, injury mechanisms, and risk factors for equestrian sports-related head and spinal injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, are more common than spinal injuries. Both injury types are most commonly related to a rider fall from a horse. Spinal injuries are less common but are associated with potentially significant neurological morbidity when spinal cord injury occurs. An improved understanding of preventable injury mechanisms, increased certified helmet use, improved helmet technologies, and educational outreach may help to address the risk of head and spinal injuries in equestrian sports.