This is an archive copy of a document originally located at http://www.sport.vic.gov.au/web/srv/srvsite.nsf/pages/research_injury_skating?OpenDocument  all copyright remains with creator.

See other sports injury prevention fact sheets.

Preventing In-Line Skating Injuries

In-line skating has emerged as an increasingly popular recreational activity in Australia. In-line skating is used for transportation and recreation, appeals to all ages and has low participation costs. The increase in popularity has led to a rapid increase in the annual number of emergency department injury presentations related to in-line skating since 1990.

How many in-line skaters?

A capital city market research survey indicated that 10% of the Australian population over 15 years of age participated in in-line skating and/or roller skating in 1996, representing a 30% growth in participation from the previous year's survey

Who is injured?

• Victorian surveillance data indicates that there were at least 838 in-line injury presentations to hospital emergency departments over the two year period 1996 and 1997
• 87% of injured in-line skaters who presented to Victorian emergency departments were aged 5 to 19 years (average age 11 years).
• 17% of injured in-line skaters who present to Australian hospital emergency departments require admission.

• The main risk factors for injury are:
  • the speed at which the skater travels,
  • obstacles,
  • lack of braking ability, and
  • hard landing surfaces.
• Falls are the most common cause of injury, accounting for 77% of in-line skating injuries presenting to Victorian hospital emergency departments.
• Falls usually occur onto an outstretched arm on a hard landing surface. The wrist is particularly vulnerable to injury.
• Upper limbs are most commonly injured and are particularly susceptible to fractures, sprains and strains.
• Approximately 5% of in-line skating injuries are to the head.
• Falls typically involve two groups:
  • young novice or beginner skaters wearing little or no safety gear, who either spontaneously lose their balance while skating outdoors or fall after striking a road defect or some debris OR
  • experienced skaters performing tricks, often at considerable speed.

• Undertake skating lessons to improve confidence and technique, including:
  • proper balancing,
  • braking and falling techniques, and
  • safe skating practices.
• Hiring outlets, rinks and schools should offer and promote skating instruction by certified instructors.
• Local certification training for in-line skating instructors should be established in Victoria and Australia.

• Protective equipment provides a hard protective barrier between the body and the ground, absorbing or dissipating potentially injurious energy.
• ALL skaters should wear and ensure proper fit of protective equipment, including:
  • helmet,
  • wrist guards,
  • knee pads, and
  • elbow pads.
• Because the risk of head injury is greatest for younger skaters, it is especially important to ensure young children wear helmets when skating.
• Hiring outlets and rinks should offer complete protective equipment as a package deal with skate hire.
• Skaters should ensure proper fit and condition of skates, including properly adjusted heel brakes.

• Carers should actively supervise children and novices until they develop sufficient skills to skate safely
• Ensure all novice skaters are able to stop using their heel brake
• Instruct novice skaters to skate with their knees bent and their weight forward (over their toes rather than their heels), which allows them to fall forwards rather than backwards.

Local councils should designate and maintain areas free of traffic, crowds, debris and surface irregularities for the use of in-line skaters.

Other safety tips

• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen in high UV conditions.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing if skating at night.

Sport and Recreation Victoria
GPO Box 2392V
Melbourne Vic 3000
Tel: 03 9666 4267
Fax: 03 9666 4300

References

Sherker S, Cassell E. In-Line Skating Injury: A review of the literature. Monash University Accident Research Centre. Report No 133. May 1998

Acknowledgments

Illustration by Anne James (Not available in on-line version).
This project was funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Public Health Research and Development Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council.