The Influence of Protective Headgear on the Visual Field of Recreational-Level Skiers

Abstract

The benefit of protective headgear for recreational skiers is an ongoing debate in the snow sports industry, and there are a lot of opposing opinions. Due to the dynamic conditions in which winter sports are performed, athletes demand rapid and constant processing of visual information. A sufficient level of anticipation helps athletes to properly position themselves to reduce the forces transferred to the head or even move to avoid a collision. To objectively identify the impact of protective headgear on the visual field when skiing, it is necessary to conduct suitable measurements. The sample consisted of 43 recreational-level skiers (27 M, 16 F; age 31.6 ± 8.23 years). A predefined testing protocol on an ortoreter was used to assess the visual field for three conditions of wearing protective headgear. Differences in perceived visual stimuli between the three conditions were evaluated by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Based on the observed results, it can be concluded that the combination of wearing a ski helmet and ski goggles significantly negatively influences visual performance in a way that the visual field is narrowed, for both helmet users and non-users, only when comparing the tested conditions. When comparing helmet users and non-users, there are no differences in the amount of visual impairment; therefore, the habit of wearing a helmet does not influence the ability of perceiving visual stimuli.

The Influence of Protective Headgear on the Peripheral Vision Reaction Time of Recreational-Level Skiers

“…The 1st study [21] we published on visual field impairments while wearing various combinations of protective headgear was carried out in a more controlled environment (in laboratory conditions). In this study, we focused on real situational conditions which could give us an insight into what really happens on the ski slope when wearing the same combinations of protective headgear that were tested in the laboratory setting.…”

“…In our recent study [21], conducted under laboratory conditions, we reported a significant negative influence on visual performance from a combination of wearing a ski helmet and ski goggles in terms of their influence on the perception of peripheral visual stimuli. However, when comparing the results of helmet users and non-users, there were no differences in the amount of visual impairment, i.e., the habit of wearing a helmet did not influence the ability to perceive visual stimuli.…”

“…For both observed variables, the result was expressed in seconds with an accuracy of 1/100 s. Each of the following predefined conditions were tested: 1-wearing only a ski cap (control condition used as a baseline), 2-wearing a ski cap and sunglasses, 3-wearing ski goggles and a ski helmet (Figure 1). The 1st study [21] we published on visual field impairments while wearing various combinations of protective headgear was carried out in a more controlled environment (in laboratory conditions). In this study, we focused on real situational conditions which could give us an insight into what really happens on the ski slope when wearing the same combinations of protective headgear that were tested in the laboratory setting.…”

“…As already mentioned in the first part of this research [21], the main limitation of this study is that a helmet and goggles were tested only in combination, which cannot provide a clear insight into how visual perception with the emphasis on reaction time would be impaired in the case of wearing a helmet and goggles in other combinations. In future studies, the same testing protocol with all the possible combinations of wearing a ski cap, a helmet, sunglasses, and goggles is necessary to gain a clearer insight into the effect of each piece of headgear separately and in various combinations.…”

Enhancing Return to Alpine Skiing: Integrating Perceptual-Motor-Cognitive Considerations in Testing and Progressions: A Clinical Commentary

“… 49–51 Helmets and ski googles have also been shown to limit visual performance, which can reduce reaction time to peripheral stimuli or limit visual input for postural control, thus putting a skier at risk for injury. 52,53 …”