Frequency and aetiology of injury in cross-country skiing

A comparative analysis was carried out on 1263 injured downhill skiers and 85 cross-country skiers with regard to risk of injury, diagnosis, localization and age distribution. While 48% of the injuries to cross-country skiers involved the upper extremities, 77% of the injuries to downhill skiers involved lesions of the leg. Contusions accounted for 31.8% in the case of cross-country skiers, while 37.8% of downhill skiers suffered distortions, 22.8% sustained torn ligaments and 22.2% suffered fractures. A total of 57% of downhill skiers are under the age of thirty, while 87% of cross-country skiers are at least 30 years of age. Female cross-country skiers tend to suffer more injuries. The chief causes are falls on downhill slopes, but also on the level usually on icy or well-trodden courses. Another course is the ski getting caught. Good equipment, a good state of fitness and preparation, protection against hypothermia, appropriate choice of cross-country courses and cross-country skiing lessons are ways of preventing injuries.