This study focuses on bicycle-related injuries among young children and the effect of being an inexperienced beginner related to age at debut of cycling. The study was based on a random stratified population sample of 1200 children aged 4-15 years in Bergen, Norway. Data about age at debut of cycling, cycling habits and any previous bicycle-related injuries were collected. A child was defined as a beginner within the first 12 months of active cycling. Relation between the first bicycle-related injury and age at debut was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. The risk of getting injured during the first 12 months of active cycling were significant lower for children aged 7 or 8 years at the debut of cycling compared to younger children (hazard RATIO = 0.78, P less than 0.001). Children cycling more than 1 h per week were at greater risk of getting injured during the first 12 months than those who cycled less (hazard RATIO = 1.95, P = 0.014). (A) "Reprinted with permission from Elsevier".
Abstract