Pfeiffer R P, Kronisch R L
Department of HPER, Boise State University, Idaho, USA.
Sports Med. 1995 May;19(5):311-25. doi: 10.2165/00007256-199519050-00002.
Off-road bicycles, commonly called 'mountain bikes', have become increasingly popular worldwide since their introduction in the western US in the late 1970s. This popularity is partly because these vehicles can be ridden on a wide variety of terrain which is not accessible to other types of bicycle. Although early versions were rather crude, off-road bicycles today typically include high strength, lightweight frames with a wide array of available suspension and braking systems. Virtually all aspects of the technology continue to evolve, including components and protective equipment. As the popularity of off-road cycling has increased, so too has the interest and level of participation in the competitive aspects of the sport. Currently, 2 organisations--the National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)--sponsor the major events within the US and around the world. To date, the majority of studies have been descriptive in nature, with data collected via self-report, questionnaire formats. Only 1 prospective study has been reported thus far, which surveyed a major international competition held in the US in 1994. Injury rates calculated on the basis of injuries per ride or event in competitive venues have been reported, ranging from 0.2 to 0.39% compared with 0.30% for recreational participants. Retrospective data collected from recreational and competitive riders indicate that from 20 to 88% of those surveyed reported having sustained an injury during the previous year of participation. The majority of injuries appear to be acute, traumatic episodes involving the extremities, with contusions and abrasions being the most common. In general, the incidence of more severe injuries such as dislocations, fractures and concussions is low. Comparisons between road and off-road cycling events indicate that off-road cyclists sustain more fractures, dislocations and concussions than their road-event counterparts. Future research should incorporate epidemiological methods of data collection to determine the relationships between vehicle design, terrain and safety equipment and riding-related accidents. Further, those engaged in such research should attempt to set a standard definition for injury.
越野自行车，通常被称为“山地自行车”，自20世纪70年代末在美国西部推出以来，在全球范围内越来越受欢迎。这种受欢迎程度部分是因为这些车辆可以在其他类型自行车无法到达的各种地形上骑行。尽管早期版本相当简陋，但如今的越野自行车通常包括高强度、轻质的车架，以及各种各样的可用悬挂和制动系统。实际上，这项技术的几乎所有方面都在不断发展，包括零部件和防护装备。随着越野骑行的普及，人们对这项运动竞技方面的兴趣和参与程度也在增加。目前，有两个组织——美国国家越野自行车协会（NORBA）和国际自行车联盟（UCI）——赞助美国国内和世界各地的主要赛事。迄今为止，大多数研究本质上都是描述性的，数据是通过自我报告、问卷形式收集的。到目前为止，仅报道了一项前瞻性研究，该研究调查了1994年在美国举行的一项重大国际比赛。据报道，根据竞技场地每次骑行或赛事的受伤情况计算出的受伤率在0.2%至0.39%之间，而休闲参与者的受伤率为0.30%。从休闲和竞技骑手那里收集的回顾性数据表明，20%至88%的受访者表示在过去一年的参与过程中受过伤。大多数损伤似乎是涉及四肢的急性创伤事件，擦伤和挫伤最为常见。一般来说，脱位、骨折和脑震荡等更严重损伤的发生率较低。公路自行车赛事和越野自行车赛事的比较表明，越野自行车手比公路自行车赛事的参与者更容易发生骨折、脱位和脑震荡。未来的研究应采用流行病学的数据收集方法，以确定车辆设计、地形和安全装备与骑行相关事故之间的关系。此外，从事此类研究的人员应尝试为损伤设定一个标准定义。
