Sports and Spinal Cord Injuries: Prevention Tips

Biking
While many cycling injuries are head injuries, the proper usage of SNELL, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)-approved helmets can also help prevent spinal cord injuries. It is essential that the helmet fit properly and that the helmet strap is closed and tightened so that it doesn't fall off while riding or if you take a fall.

Other SCI cycling prevention tips include:

• Children under age 1 should not be carried on a bicycle because their necks are not strong enough to withstand a helmet on their heads.
• Bike a minimum of three feet from parked cars in case a door swings open.
• Do not wear headphones.
• Obey local traffic regulations at all times.
• Never grab onto a moving vehicle to get a "free" ride.
• Use hand-signs to indicate the direction of your turns

Football

• Football players should receive adequate pre-conditioning and strengthening of the head and neck muscles.
• Coaches and officials should discourage players from using the top of their football helmets as battering rams when blocking, hitting, tackling, and ball carrying. Coaches, physicians, and trainers should ensure that the players' equipment is properly fitted, especially the helmet, and that straps are always locked.
• Coaches must be prepared for a possible catastrophic SCI. The entire staff must know what to do in such a case-being prepared and well-informed may make all the difference in preventing permanent disability.
• The rules prohibiting spearing should be enforced in practice and games.
• Ball carriers should be taught to not lower their heads when making contact with the tackler to avoid helmet-to-helmet collisions.

Skateboarding/In-line Skating

• Inspect your skateboard or skates for any damaged parts and replace them before using again.
• Wear a helmet, fastened securely to your head, every time you skateboard or skate.
• Check the area for rocks, debris, cracks in the pavement or uneven surfaces.
• Wear well-fitting clothing, knee and elbow pads, wrist braces, and gloves.

Swimming/Diving

• Do not dive in water less than 12 feet deep or in above-ground pools. Check the depth and check for debris in the water before diving.
• Follow all rules and warning signs at water parks, swimming pools, and public beaches.
• The first time you go into a body of water, walk into the water.
• Never push or shove somebody into the water and do not allow your children to do so.

General Sports

• Supervise younger children at all times, and do not let them use sporting equipment or play sports unsuitable for their age. Do not let them use playgrounds with hard surface grounds.
• Do not participate in sports when you are ill or very tired.
• Discard and replace sporting equipment or protective gear that is damaged.
• Never slide headfirst when stealing a base.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Neurosurgerytoday.org
Sports-related Neck Injury, September 2008

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