from Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics
The arrival of winter is followed by an increase
in visits to hospital emergency departments by
young people suffering head injuries from
winter activities. Fortunately, helmets reduce
the risk of head injury from various winter
sports, but there is no certified winter
recreational helmet available. So, Canadian
researchers evaluated various types of
helmets—hockey, skiing and bicycling—under
laboratory conditions for speed and both front
and side impact protection. They reported in
the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics that
overall a hockey helmet is likely the best for
younger children while sledding and
tobogganing, though the study does not take a
stand on a recommended best type of helmet,
since all helmets offer some protection, and
they say young children should wear helmets
during outdoor winter activities. The study
was funded by ThinkFirst Canada, a non‐profit
organization dedicated to prevention of brain
and spinal cord injuries.