White Paper: functionality and efficacy of wrist protectors in snowboarding—towards a harmonized international standard

Abstract

The wrist is the most frequently injured body region among snowboarders. Studies have shown that the risk of sustaining a wrist injury can be reduced by wearing wrist protection. Currently, there are a wide variety of wrist protection products for snowboarding on the market that offer a range of protective features. However, there are no minimum performance standards for snowboarding wrist protectors worldwide. The International Society for Skiing Safety convened a task force to develop a White Paper to evaluate the importance and necessity of a minimum performance for all wrist protectors used in snowboarding. The White Paper outlines the need for a general framework for a harmonized international standard and reviews the existing evidence. Therefore, this White Paper may serve as a common base for future discussions. The broader goal of developing and implementing such a standard is to reduce the incidence and the severity of wrist injuries in snowboarding without increasing the risk of adverse events, such as upper arm or shoulder injury. The European standard for inline skating wrist protectors (EN 14120) can serve as a starting point for efforts related to a standard for snowboard wrist protectors, but certain modifications to the standard would be required. It is hypothesized that implementation of a snowboarding wrist protector standard would result in fewer and less severe wrist injuries in the sport and could translate into more riding days for healthy snowboarders and significant health-care costs savings. Abstract The wrist is the most frequently injured body region among snowboarders. Studies have shown that the risk of sustaining a wrist injury can be reduced by wearing wrist protection. Currently, there are a wide variety of wrist protection products for snowboarding on the market that offer a range of protective features. However, there are no minimum performance standards for snowboarding wrist protectors worldwide. The International Society for Skiing Safety convened a task force to develop a White Paper to evaluate the importance and necessity of a minimum performance for all wrist protectors used in snowboarding. The White Paper outlines the need for a general framework for a harmonized international standard and reviews the existing evidence. Therefore, this White Paper may serve as a common base for future discussions. The broader goal of developing and implementing such a standard is to reduce the incidence and the severity of wrist injuries in snowboarding without increasing the risk of adverse events, such as upper arm or shoulder injury. The European standard for inline skating wrist protectors (EN 14120) can serve as a starting point for efforts related to a standard for snowboard wrist protectors, but certain modifications to the standard would be required. It is hypothesized that implementation of a snowboarding wrist protector standard would result in fewer and less severe wrist injuries in the sport and could translate into more riding days for healthy snowboarders and sig...

Resources for sports engineering education

“…Linking research to standards and regulations can help to build case studies around sport safety equipment. Michel et al [87] summarises the challenges related to wrist injuries and prevention in snowboarding, and the website of the International Society for Skiing Safety [88] provides details of a project to develop an ISO standard for wrist protectors (ISO/CD 20320). Elsewhere, the website for ASTM International has a section for publications sponsored by the committee on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces and Facilities [89], with papers and conference proceeding on safety, including a collection on concussion mechanisms [90].…”

Finite Element Model of an Impact on a Palmar Pad from a Snowboard Wrist Protector

“…Ten to fifteen million people participate in snowboarding worldwide [1]. Injury risk whilst snowboarding is higher than alpine skiing, with the forearm and wrist being the most common injury site, accounting for ~35 to 45% of all injuries [2].…”

Auxetic Foam for Snow-Sport Safety Devices

“…Snowboarders are at greater risk of injury than skiers [6][7][8], with estimates ranging from 1 to 15 injuries per 1,000 riding days [9,10]. The upper extremities are particularly at risk among snowboarders [7,9,11,12], with wrist injuries common for beginners and children [7,[13][14][15][16].…”

“…EN1077), but they do not always provide for protection against concussion [12]. There are no snow-sportspecific standards for wrist protectors [16] or back protectors [21]. There is consensus that wrist protectors can prevent injuries by absorbing energy and limiting hyperextension, but it is unclear which designs offer the most protection [16].…”

“…There are no snow-sportspecific standards for wrist protectors [16] or back protectors [21]. There is consensus that wrist protectors can prevent injuries by absorbing energy and limiting hyperextension, but it is unclear which designs offer the most protection [16]. Back protectors come in two primary forms, a hard shell with padding underneath offering greater resistance to penetration, and foam in isolation which absorbs more impact energy [21].…”