Changing Incidence and Nature of Injuries Caused by Falls From Skateboards in the United States

Abstract

Since 2000, the number of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for children who have sustained a fall from a skateboard has undergone a noticeable decline. One possible explanation for this decline is that children today lead a more sedentary lifestyle and are not as engaged in outdoor physical activities as were children in previous generations. The profile of patients injured in skateboarding-related accidents has also changed since 2000. The percent minority, percent residents of large metropolitan areas, and percent who incur an injury on a street or highway have all increased during this time period. Data based on observations of riders in skateboard parks indicate that the overwhelming majority do not wear protective gear such as helmets, elbow/knee pads, or wrist guards, and that a sizable segment of riders compound their risk of injury by using headphones or earbuds when performing maneuvers.