Characteristics of Victims of Fall-Related Accidents during Mountain Hiking

Martin Faulhaber, Gerhard Ruedl, Friedemann Schneider, Dagmar Walter, Regina Sterr, Wolfgang Schobersberger, Fabian Schwendinger and Elena Pocecco
Additional contact information
Martin Faulhaber: Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Gerhard Ruedl: Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Friedemann Schneider: Department for Trauma Surgery and Sports Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Dagmar Walter: Austrian Board of Alpine Safety, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Regina Sterr: Austrian Board of Alpine Safety, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Wolfgang Schobersberger: Austrian Society of Alpine and High Altitude Medicine, 6414 Mieming, Austria
Fabian Schwendinger: Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Elena Pocecco: Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-9

Abstract: The study evaluated characteristics of non-fatal mountain hiking accidents caused by falls. Questionnaires were sent to mountain hikers who suffered a fall-related accident in Tyrol (Austria) during a 3-year period. The questionnaire included details of socio-demographic data, physical activity, medication intake, defective vision, breaks, fluid intake, level of fatigue, muscle soreness, use of backpacks, use of hiking sticks, and type of shoes. Data of 405 individuals (57% females and 43% males) were included in the analyses. Victims were 56 ± 15 years of age, had a body mass index of 24.8 ± 3.5, and indicated 4.2 ± 3.9 h/week regular physical activity. A defective vision was reported by 70% of the victims, breaks were frequent (in 80%), and alcohol intake was rare (4%) among the interviewed hikers. Subjective level of fatigue was low and only 5% reported muscle soreness. A backpack was carried by 83% of the victims and the average weight was higher in males compared to females. The majority (61%) of the victims wore ankle-height hiking shoes with a profiled sole. Victims of non-fatal falls in mountain hiking are older than the general population of mountain hikers and are often afflicted with defective vision.

Keywords: mountain sports; accident; emergency; fall; risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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