Implementation of an all-ages mandatory helmet policy for ice skating

Abstract

Ice skaters sustain a significant number of head injuries each winter. We are the first to implement an all-ages helmet policy at a university-based Canadian arena. We report our experience from a cross-sectional observational study as well as the policy's consequences on helmet use and skating participation. Educational programming was provided prior to policy implementation. Observations of helmet use, falls and skater demographics were conducted prior to education/implementation and after policy implementation. The number of skaters observed was essentially unchanged by the policy; 361 skaters were observed pre-implementation, while 358 were observed post-implementation during the same number of observation-hours. Pre-implementation, helmet use ranged from 97% among children under 12 to 10% among adults; post-implementation use in all skaters was 99%. Falls were observed among all age groups, with preponderance among those aged 4-12. An all-ages helmet policy was successful both in achieving helmet use among all skaters and in maintaining participation rates.

The implementation of a municipal indoor ice skating helmet policy: effects on helmet use, participation and attitudes

“…The findings of this helmet policy intervention support existing literature, showing a significant increase in helmet use when legislation (in this case a policy) is implemented and supported with education and promotion 4 5 14. Our study showed that populations that had the largest effect sizes were those with a lower baseline helmet use, consistent with a systematic review of bicycle helmet legislation 4.…”

“…We anticipated that the risk of lowered participation could be mitigated by focusing the policy age limit on an already compliant group and by decreasing financial barriers for all ages through the helmet discount. No decrease in public skating participation corresponds with findings from other Canadian studies showing no negative impact of helmet legislation on cycling ridership or public skating 8 14…”

“…Factors influencing compliance include affordability, peer influence and knowledge regarding the risk of head injury 11 – 13. One other study examined the influence of an indoor ice skating helmet policy, citing an increase in helmet use and no effect on ice skating participation 14. Numerous Canadian municipalities have implemented policies for helmet use for skating lessons and arena staff; however, only 11 municipalities were found to have helmet policies for public skating sessions (Ottawa Public Health.…”

Achieving all-age helmet use compliance for snow sports: strategic use of education, legislation and enforcement

“…Provincial skier and snowboarder populations were ready for legislation, which may in part have been due to strong provincial helmet laws for other wheeled activities, such as bicycle riding and recent campaigns to mandate helmet use in ice skating 8. To fully influence the helmet non-users (10%), education, marketing and all-age helmet legislation were employed resulting in 100% helmet use in the 2012–2013 winter season, without decreased participation in skiing and snowboarding.…”