There is a high risk of injury to the arms, including fractures, dislocations, abrasions, contusions, and sprains. These often occur from attempting to protect the face during a fall.
Mountain biking, riding specially-designed bicycles off-road and over rough terrain, is a popular sport in British Columbia. The most popular styles of mountain biking are cross-country and trail riding; other styles include all-mountain, downhill, dirt jumping, and freeride. Common areas of injury are the face, leg, and arms.
(see Section 04 - Prevention)
There is a high risk of injury to the arms, including fractures, dislocations, abrasions, contusions, and sprains. These often occur from attempting to protect the face during a fall.
Injuries to the liver and spleen occur with forward-facing bar extensions due to an impact of the abdomen on the handlebars.
The lower leg is the most frequently injured area in mountain biking (27% of injuries). Most of these injuries result from slipping off the pedals on bumpy parts of the trail or after landing a jump. Lower leg injuries also occur when the leg is entangled in trees, bushes, or obstacles on the trail.
Shoulder or clavicle fractures can occur in mountain biking.
Mountain bikers are at high risk of facial trauma, including injury to the mouth.
Head injuries, including concussion, lacerations, abrasions, contusions, and head or neck fracture, can occur in mountain biking.
Neck injuries include muscle strains and fractures. These injuries are often under-reported.
Friction against the bicycle seat can result in injuries when mountain biking, including chafing and “saddle sores.”
Most injuries in mountain biking are mild, but a variety of injuries can occur. Approximately 27% of injuries occur to the lower leg, 25% to the forearm, and 21% to the knee. Downhill mountain bikers have greater risk of head, neck, and face injuries, fractures, and emergency room visits than cross country bikers. Downhill mountain biking crashes that occur at high speeds can result in more severe injuries.
Protective gear is widely used by downhill mountain bikers with 86% wearing full-face helmets, 76% elbow pads, and 72% protective vests. Future advancements could focus on lightweight, breathable clothing to reduce lacerations and abrasions.
It is estimated that...
Risk factors for mountain bike injuries include: riding errors, lack of upper body strength, poor trail conditions, and competition.
Approximately 70% of injured bikers reported riding error as the primary cause of injury. Most injuries happened in a curve, during jumps, and on sloping terrain.
A lack of upper body strength in young, untrained bikers is a risk factor for injury.
There is a higher risk of injury during mountain biking competitions as compared to practice.
A lack of attention, loss of control, indecisiveness, and overestimation of biking ability are risk factors for injuries in mountain biking.
Poor trail conditions are a risk factor for injury in mountain biking.
Injury severity was significantly lower for female versus male mountain bike riders.
Training and regular practice are expected of athletes, but how much is too much? Your risk of injury can increase if you train too much or improperly. Learn more about how to find your training load “sweet spot.”
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 mountain biking.
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 mountain biking, such as helmets, body armour, gloves, and mouthguards, can reduce your risk of injury. Helmets can reduce your risk of facial injuries, skull fracture, and traumatic brain injury. The use of lower limb body armour can reduce your risk of injury in this area.
Some riders use “bar ends”—forward-facing handlebar extensions—for comfort; however, collision with these bar extensions can result in abdominal and internal organ injuries, such as liver hematoma. An education campaign on the dangers of using “bar ends” has resulted in the near elimination of liver injury in mountain biking in Austria.
Before taking up mountain biking, obtain training, understand how injuries occur, ride within the level of your capability, and know how dismount safely from the bike, including how to release clipless pedals.
Lack of upper body strength is a risk for injury in young, untrained bikers.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help reduce the risk of shoulder injuries. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Concussions can happen due to a fall or collision while mountain biking. 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.
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
Mountain biking is physically demanding and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to participate 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 mountain biking, such as helmets, body armour, gloves, and mouthguards, can reduce your risk of injury. Helmets can reduce your risk of facial injuries, skull fracture, and traumatic brain injury. The use of lower limb body armour can reduce your risk of injury in this area.
Some riders use “bar ends”—forward-facing handlebar extensions—for comfort; however, collision with these bar extensions can result in abdominal and internal organ injuries, such as liver hematoma. An education campaign on the dangers of using “bar ends” has resulted in the near elimination of liver injury in mountain biking in Austria.
Before taking up mountain biking, obtain training, understand how injuries occur, ride within the level of your capability, and know how dismount safely from the bike, including how to release clipless pedals.
Lack of upper body strength is a risk for injury in young, untrained bikers.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help reduce the risk of shoulder injuries. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Concussions can happen due to a fall or collision while mountain biking. 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.
Facilities
The Ontario Physical Education Association (OPHEA) provides recommendations for implementing mountain biking in secondary schools.
Learn more about adding mountain biking to your school program.
Sport-related Physicals
Mountain biking is physically demanding and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to participate 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 about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
Concussions can happen due to a fall or collision while mountain biking. 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 mountain biking, such as helmets, body armour, gloves, and mouthguards, can reduce your risk of injury. Helmets can reduce your risk of facial injuries, skull fracture, and traumatic brain injury. The use of lower limb body armour can reduce your risk of injury in this area.
Some riders use “bar ends”—forward-facing handlebar extensions—for comfort; however, collision with these bar extensions can result in abdominal and internal organ injuries, such as liver hematoma. An education campaign on the dangers of using “bar ends” has resulted in the near elimination of liver injury in mountain biking in Austria.
Before taking up mountain biking, obtain training, understand how injuries occur, ride within the level of your capability, and know how dismount safely from the bike, including how to release clipless pedals.
Lack of upper body strength is a risk for injury in young, untrained bikers.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help reduce the risk of shoulder injuries. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Facilities
The Ontario Physical Education Association (OPHEA) provides recommendations for implementing mountain biking in secondary schools.
Learn more about adding mountain biking to your school program.
Sport-related Physicals
Mountain biking is physically demanding and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to participate 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 mountain biking 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 mountain biking, such as helmets, body armour, gloves, and mouthguards, can reduce your risk of injury. Helmets can reduce your risk of facial injuries, skull fracture, and traumatic brain injury. The use of lower limb body armour can reduce your risk of injury in this area.
Some riders use “bar ends”—forward-facing handlebar extensions—for comfort; however, collision with these bar extensions can result in abdominal and internal organ injuries, such as liver hematoma. An education campaign on the dangers of using “bar ends” has resulted in the near elimination of liver injury in mountain biking in Austria.
Before taking up mountain biking, obtain training, understand how injuries occur, ride within the level of your capability, and know how dismount safely from the bike, including how to release clipless pedals.
Lack of upper body strength is a risk for injury in young, untrained bikers.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help reduce the risk of shoulder injuries. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent shoulder injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Sport-related Physicals
Mountain biking 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.
