In-line skating can be hazardous if you do not wear proper safety gear or do not learn to skate and stop safely. In fact, people visit the hospital emergency room each year because of injuries associated with in-line skates. Wrist injuries are common, as well as injuries to the leg, knee, ankle, or elbow. Injuries to the head and face are also fairly common.
According to the InLine Club of Boston, the most common in-line skating injuries result from:
The following tips help reduce skating injuries:
Always Wear Proper Safety Gear
Proper safety gear for skating includes:
Check Your Equipment
Get Instruction
Get instruction from an experienced skater. You should have basic skating skills (turning, controlling speed, falling safely, and stopping) before you attempt to skate in a public place.
The following tips can help you stop safely:
Stay Alert
Skate Only in Safe Areas
Do Not Skate at Night
At night, others cannot see you and you cannot see obstacles or other skaters. If you must skate in the dark, wear reflective clothing, put flashing bicycle lights on your helmet, and carry a flashlight.
Avoid Any Type of “Towing” Activity
Do not hitch a ride to any moving vehicle when you are on in-line skates. You may not be able to slow down fast enough to avoid colliding with the vehicle that is towing you. You could also be thrown into oncoming traffic. For the same reason, do not let your dog tow you while you are on skates.
Do Not Use Headphones While Skating
While skating, avoid using headphones or anything else that could prevent you from hearing vehicles, cyclists, and other skaters.
Be Courteous
RESOURCES:
American College of Sports Medicine
http://www.acsm.org/
American Council on Exercise
http://www.acefitness.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine
http://www.casm-acms.org/
Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute
http://www.cflri.ca/eng/lifestyle/index.php
References:
The InLine Club of Boston. Available at http://www.sk8net.com/Learn/SkatingSignals.html.
International Inline Skating Association. Available at http://www.iisa.org/places/index.htm..
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Available at http://www.cpsc.gov/.
Last reviewed June 2010 by Brian P. Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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