Crawford Anna E, Picken Lauren K, Gabriel Fernanda D, Quade Jonathan, Gould Sara
University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Engineering, Birmingham, Alabama.
Sports Health. 2024 Aug 29:19417381241275655. doi: 10.1177/19417381241275655.
Equestrian sports continue to gain popularity in the United States and are associated with a high injury rate, especially involving the central nervous system and thorax. Due to this high rate of injury and the potential for long-term consequences associated with participation, an understanding of the unique risks of this sport is needed.
To describe severe injury in equestrian sports and review the role that protective gear plays in injury mitigation.
The PubMed Database was searched using the search terms "equestrian" and "horse" combined with "spinal cord injury," "head injury," "traumatic brain injury," "experience levels," and "demographics."
A total of 53 papers were selected based on their relevance of epidemiology, risk factors, and management of injuries sustained during equestrian activities. Case studies, randomized controlled trials, prospective studies, and retrospective studies were all included for further review.
Systematic review.
Level 4.
None.
Injuries to the thorax, including fractures, pneumothoraces, internal organ contusions, and crush injuries, have been cited in multiple national and international trauma registries as the most prevalent injury location in equestrians; however, head and neck injuries, high cervical spine fractures, and closed head injuries are reported to be associated with the highest rates of mortality. Helmets provide protection against skull fracture and traumatic brain injury. Vests were not associated with diminished rates of spinal cord injuries; however, they may provide protection to the thorax. Riding experience also plays a role in reducing the prevalence of injury.
Equestrian-related activities are associated with a high risk of injury despite protective measures. Protective gear can mitigate some injury risk but does not protect against spinal injury. Continued investigation into improving protective equipment, rider education, and preventative strategies to mitigate this risk is needed.
马术运动在美国持续受到欢迎，且受伤率很高，尤其是涉及中枢神经系统和胸部的损伤。鉴于这种高损伤率以及参与运动可能带来的长期后果，需要了解这项运动的独特风险。
描述马术运动中的严重损伤，并综述防护装备在减轻损伤方面所起的作用。
使用搜索词“马术”和“马”，并结合“脊髓损伤”“头部损伤”“创伤性脑损伤”“经验水平”和“人口统计学”对PubMed数据库进行检索。
根据其与马术活动中受伤的流行病学、风险因素和管理的相关性，共选择了53篇论文。案例研究、随机对照试验、前瞻性研究和回顾性研究均纳入进一步综述。
系统综述。
4级。
无。
胸部损伤，包括骨折、气胸、内脏挫伤和挤压伤，在多个国家和国际创伤登记处被列为马术运动员中最常见的损伤部位；然而，据报道，头部和颈部损伤、高位颈椎骨折和闭合性头部损伤的死亡率最高。头盔可预防颅骨骨折和创伤性脑损伤。背心与脊髓损伤发生率的降低无关；然而，它们可能对胸部起到保护作用。骑行经验在降低损伤发生率方面也起作用。
尽管采取了防护措施，与马术相关的活动仍具有较高的受伤风险。防护装备可降低一些损伤风险，但不能预防脊髓损伤。需要继续研究改进防护设备、骑手教育和预防策略，以降低这种风险。
