Mountain biking injuries: a review

Br Med Bull. 2008:85:101-12. doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldn009. Epub 2008 Feb 21.

Abstract

Introduction: Mountain biking is a fast, exciting adventure sport with increasing numbers of participants and competitions.

Methods and results: A search of PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, DH data, and Embase databases was performed using the following keywords: mountain, biking and injuries. This revealed 2 review articles, 17 case controlled studies, 4 case series and 5 case reports. This review summarises the published literature on mountain biking injuries, discusses injury frequency and common injury mechanisms.

Conclusions: Riders are quick to adopt safety measures. Helmet usage is now increasingly common and handlebar adaptations have been discontinued. Although the sport has a reputation for speed and risk with research and awareness, injury prevention measures are being adopted making the sport as safe as possible.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accident Prevention / methods
  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
  • Bicycling / injuries*
  • Female
  • Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index