Arm fractures are a common injury in longboarding.
Longboards are used for travel, tricks (or ‘dancing’), and downhill riding. Due to the larger wheel size, longer shape, and softer wheel material, longboards are known for having increased stability, durability, and traction compared to skateboards. While there is risk for physical injury in longboarding, there is evidence that these injuries can be prevented.
(see Section 04 - Prevention)
Arm fractures are a common injury in longboarding.
Injuries to the skin, such as abrasions, are common and can occur anywhere on the body upon falling from a longboard.
Traumatic brain injuries and head and skull fractures are less common injuries compared to arm fractures and skin abrasions, but they can and do occur while longboarding.
Though current research evidence is extremely limited around how many people, on average, are injured when longboarding, the most common injuries in longboarding include arm fractures and injuries to the skin and head.
It is estimated that...
The majority of longboarders suffer an injury from a fall while traveling on a longboard, and the risk of falling from a longboard is higher for downhill longboarders.
Some muscle soreness or joint pain is expected when increasing your level of physical activity. It is important to listen to your body for persistent or worsening pain, and to know when to rest. Learn more about how to prevent injuries in longboarding.
Talk to your coach or organization, if applicable, about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
Using properly fitted protective personal equipment while longboarding can reduce your risk of injury. This includes helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Among those who went to the hospital for injuries sustained while longboarding, helmet use was extremely low (4% to 13.9%). Wearing a helmet can reduce your risk of head injuries in skateboarding; this could be useful in longboarding.
It is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource for participants and parents to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
The risk of injuries may be reduced by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports.
Click here to view poster.
Safe Routes
The safest routes to avoid injury when longboarding are flat, even, and free of debris. Avoid routes near any areas with traffic.
Equipment
A properly fitted helmet can decrease the risk of brain injury by 80%. Bike helmets can be used for longboarding, and either CPSC, CSA, ASTM or Snell certification is important. The labeling for multi-sport helmets should be checked to see whether it has been tested for longboarding. If needed, the manufacturer can be contacted for clarification. For more information, please visit the Parachute Canada website.
Sleep, Vigilance and Sport Injury Prevention
Being successful in physical activity requires a high degree of alertness, also known as vigilance. Sufficient sleep helps your body to recover, allows you to achieve your goals, and reduces your risk of injury. Getting less than 8 hours of sleep can increase your rate of injury by up to 70%! Watch this video to learn more about how sleep and vigilance are connected.
Sport-related Physicals
Longboarding can be a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
Talk to your organization or school, if applicable, about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
Using properly fitted protective personal equipment while longboarding can reduce risk of injury. This includes helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Among those who went to the hospital for injuries sustained while longboarding, helmet use was extremely low (4% to 13.9%). Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries in skateboarding; this could be useful in longboarding.
It is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource for coaches and teachers to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
The risk of injuries may be reduced by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports.
Click here to view poster.
Safe Routes
The safest routes to avoid injury when longboarding are flat, even, and free of debris. Longboarders should avoid routes near areas with traffic.
Equipment
A properly fitted helmet can decrease the risk of brain injury by 80%. Bike helmets can be used for longboarding, and either CPSC, CSA, ASTM or Snell certification is important. The labeling for multisport helmets should be checked to see whether it has been tested for longboarding. If needed, the manufacturer can be contacted for clarification. For more information, please visit the Parachute Canada website.
Sport-related Physicals
Longboarding can be a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
Talk to your coaches, teachers, organization, or school, if applicable, about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
Using properly fitted protective personal equipment while longboarding can reduce risk of injury. This includes helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Among those who went to the hospital for injuries sustained while longboarding, helmet use was extremely low (4% to 13.9%). Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries in skateboarding; this could be useful in longboarding.
It is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
The risk of injuries may be reduced by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports.
Click here to view poster.
Safe Routes
The safest routes to avoid injury when longboarding are flat, even, and free of debris. Longboarders should avoid routes near areas with traffic.
Equipment
A properly fitted helmet can decrease the risk of brain injury by 80%. Bike helmets can be used for longboarding, and either CPSC, CSA, ASTM or Snell certification is important. The labeling for multisport helmets should be checked to see whether it has been tested for longboarding. If needed, the manufacturer can be contacted for clarification. For more information, please visit the Parachute Canada website.
Sport-related Physicals
Longboarding can be a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
The role of health professionals in preventing longboarding injuries has two main components:
It is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource to learn more about how to diagnose and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to assess a potential concussion, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
Using properly fitted protective personal equipment while longboarding can reduce risk of injury. This includes helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Among those who went to the hospital for injuries sustained while longboarding, helmet use was extremely low (4% to 13.9%). Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries in skateboarding; this could be useful in longboarding.
The risk of injuries may be reduced by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports.
Click here to view poster.
Sport-related Physicals
Longboarding is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides information about preparticipation physical evaluation.
Learn more about Preparticipation Physical Evaluation.
Equipment
A properly fitted helmet can decrease the risk of brain injury by 80%. Bike helmets can be used for inline skating, and either CPSC, CSA, ASTM or Snell certification is important. The labeling for multisport helmets should be checked to see whether it has been tested for longboarding. If needed, the manufacturer can be contacted for clarification. For more information, please visit the Parachute Canada website.
