Performance Apparel Markets - Grado Zero Espace Srl

Performance Apparel Markets, 1st quarter 2006
Business update
A new study says wearing
a helmet while skiing or
snowboarding can reduce
the risk of head injury
Head injuries are common
among alpine skiers and
snowboarders
The study was conducted
on the basis that it had
been assumed that a helmet
reduced the risk of head
injuries in alpine sports,
but it was not certain to do
so
Wearing a helmet reduced
the risk of a head injury by
60%, and of a severe head
injury by 57%
Snowboarders are at
greater risk of head injury
Helmet use is only
mandatory for children in
certain countries
A neoprene suit can help
to save the lives of women
who are haemorrhaging
during childbirth
A non-pneumatic antishock
garment (NASG),
similar to the bottom half
of a wetsuit, was evaluated
The NASG suit is designed
to push blood back up to
vital organs
SNOW SPORTS: HELMET USE REDUCES RISK OF HEAD
INJURY
A study published in the February 22, 2006, issue of The Journal of
the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that wearing a
helmet while skiing or snowboarding can reduce the risk of head
injury.
The article reported that head injuries are common in alpine skiers and
snowboarders. They are the most frequent reason for hospital
admission and the most common cause of death among skiers and
snowboarders. Of those admitted to hospital with a head injury, there
is an 8% fatality rate.
The study was conducted by researchers at the Norwegian School of
Sport Sciences in Oslo on the basis that it had been assumed that a
helmet would reduce the risk of head injuries in alpine sports, but it
was not certain to do so. The survey took place at eight Norwegian
alpine resorts during the 2002 skiing season and involved 3,277
injured skiers and snowboarders, and a control group comprising
2,992 uninjured skiers and snowboarders.
Out of the 3,277 injured individuals, 578 (17.6%) had suffered head
injuries. However, by analysing the numbers who had worn a helmet
and those who had not, the researchers deduced that wearing a helmet
reduced the risk of a head injury by 60%, and diminished the risk of
a potentially severe head injury by 57%.
Interestingly, the risk of a head injury was 53% higher among
snowboarders than alpine skiers.
Currently, the use of helmets is only mandatory for children in certain
countries such as Italy, Norway and Slovenia.
NEOPRENE SUIT COULD SAVE LIVES
The results of a pilot study by researchers at the University of
California in San Francisco have shown that a simple neoprene suit
can help to save the lives of women who are haemorrhaging during
childbirth.
The research—conducted in Egypt—evaluated the use of a
non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG). The garment is similar to
the bottom half of a wetsuit and is a variation of a suit used in the
USA by the emergency services for patients with lower body trauma.
During childbirth, blood may pool in the mother’s abdomen and legs,
thereby reducing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, heart and
lungs. The NASG suit is made from five segments which are
tightened with hook and loop fasteners, and is designed to push blood
back up to vital organs from the lower extremities and abdominal
areas.
62 © Textiles Intelligence Limited