ple are far more knowledgable ab

2021/05/21

People are far more knowledgable about what works and what is superfluous when it really comes down to it. I mean, they're either in so much pain or on so many drugs that it may not be that much of a hinderance at the time. T-shirts and hoodies for one lucky winner! One of the problems that I've encountered is a lack of data on where the injuries occurred on a cyclist. Over the years we have overheard and had conversations about the positives and perceived negatives of wearing various kinds of safety gear, in particular neck braces. The two struts that lay flat against the chest and back not only keep the brace in place but have the added benefit of an extra layer of impact protection to the collar bones and spine. It'd be hard to convince you to have the same crash again without a neck brace though, even in the interests of science. (http://www.dirtrider.com/features/the-neck-brace-web-component/) In this article Dirt Rider reached out to several sources for their opinions on the previous article. There are three reasons I will not wear one. As my son becomes more and more interested in mountain biking, that protective parent in me has been kicking in lately and has me pondering should he wear a neck brace while mountain biking?. So the efficacy of a neck brace for mountain biking is even more in question. A couple years ago Josh vowed to spend more time on his bike and through writing was able to do so. Next, the thesis of a rigid load transfer device alternative load path technology (ALPT) was developed. Reduction in cervical spine bending moments, axial and shear forces through energy transfer (alternate load-path theory), and physical reduction in the range of motion. We use cookies and browser activity to improve your experience and personalize both the content and advertising you see. But rolling hills and smooth singletrack are not what were talkin here. As such, the price range is still relatively narrow as well. Short travel forks from Fox, RockShox and Suntour get put through their paces alongside kit from Magura, Leatt and Ortlieb. The human head is quite a heavy object to be held up by our relatively small neck, so neck injuries are all too common in many of todays sports, including mountain biking. And in the XC world of titanium, carbon fiber and anything that will shed even just a few grams of unneeded weight, an extra pound of gear might as well be a boat anchor. Furthermore, we must dispel these myths about a product designed to help protect the cervical spine and potentially save a life. In certain accident situations, it is possible, they are worse. 6. [This random article that really can't be trusted.] Dr Leatt is the head of the company and studied medicine at the University of Cape Town and went on to work in neurosurgery before moving on to explore the viability of a neck protection system to be used in helmet-clad spots. Unfortunately, that means wiping out sometimes, but when we make errors, we learn. Here is some more info I was able to find when doing my research.

No brace will adequately protect from compression fractures. Read all the articles of mountain bikers dying from neck breaks Now go find as many articles of broken neck deaths with riders using neck braces. My son wore his when riding for seven or eight years and never once complained of it being uncomfortable, too confining or cumbersome. Any helmeted sports or occupations where a fall on the head can result in a neck injury can benefit. 2. Despite catastrophic injuries to both DH legend Tara Llanes and Road Bike Party's Martyn Ashton, resulting in their paralyses, if you spend time in any bike park you will notice plenty of helmets, but be challenged to find any sort of pattern for those who you see riding with or without neck braces. So I put it to you, r/MTB, what is your cite-able knowledge on the subject? A Cervical Spine injury of any kind is 82% more likely without a neck brace. Had X-rays and they came back all clear, neck was sore for a few weeks though. The reason you see Groms wearing them is because they are growing up with them. I feel for all women everywhere who have needed an episiotomy in child birth. In addition, brain forces are reduced by limiting post-impact head whip and so are collarbone injuries by shielding the clavicle from helmet rim strikes. How much are your head and neck worth to you? At least in the mind of an XC racer anyway. Dr. Christopher Leatt was first to patent a product intended to prevent neck injury in 2003. Personal watercraft, such as jet skis and wave runners are notorious for whipping the head around while riding at high speed in choppy water. As such, Leatt has had several licensing deals with other apparel and gear companys to produce neck braces with their individual branding applied. In so doing, the force transmission through the neck is reduced, and the threshold required to produce a neck injury is not reached, reducing catastrophic injuries. A win-win. [Dirt Rider Article "The Neck brace - Should You Wear One?" Now you go to your local mountain and shred double blacks with a good helmet which could be a half helmet, a set of good knee pads and XC gloves so your hands don't sweat. Leatt's data shows a 46% reduction in forces in a front impact head-moving-backwards (hyper extension) crash, a 21% reduction in front impact head-to-chest (hyper flexion) crash, and a 20% reduction in a side-to-side (lateral hyper flexion) crash. Both companies do invest in serious research using multiple test set-ups to try and replicate crashing, but much like the MIPS helmet debate, it's hard to accurately replicate a crash and to quantify the effectiveness of neck braces in these crashes.

MysonhadanolderstyleLeatt brace that he wore for years when he was dirt biking, but when he began mountain biking more, he discovered that his neck brace limited his movement so much that he actually felt unsafe wearing it. Damn. Leatt and neck braces go hand in hand, having brought the technology to the mountain bike and motorbike world. When looking at a helmet/brace combination, it makes sense to select a helmet that does not have a large rear lower helmet projection, as was a design trend a few years back. A neck brace is a rigid device worn around the neck which interacts with the user's helmet or head to reduce catastrophic neck injuries in case of a fall. Part of the energy is thereby directed to the brace, and not all the force goes via the skull base to the neck. First, let's understand the demographics of spinal injuries and who is most affected by them. Source: Great Lakes EMS Inc. / Action Sports EMS Ambulance data reporting system. https://www.actionsportsems.com/safetystudies, 2022 Washougal Pro Motocross Round 8 Results, AFT Legends Meet & Greet Session Planned for Sacramento Mile, Pirelli to Serve as Tire Sponsor of the 2022 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynns Ranch, R2R Teams up With Method Race Wheels and Haiden Deegan for Fundraising Auction, Vialle to Move to North American Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2023 AMA Challenge, Watch The Race of Champions Live on MotoAmerica TV, All-Star Analyst Announced for 2022 Pro MX Broadcast (Updated), Cervical = neck made up of seven vertebrae C1 C7 Clavicle Injury = Collarbone, ALS = Advanced Life Support Ambulance or Flight Service Hospital Admit = Admitted to Surgery, ICU, or Floor, Spinal Immobilization = Long Board Cervical Collar, Non-Critical = Stinger Neck Pain, Decreased range of motion. ASK (and ANSWER) in our NEW Rider's Forum! You need to be signed in to use that feature! The mountain bike community is very good at closing in on bike or human components that really don't do much and just exiling them from the world of mountain biking. This is how I see it. It seems to me that there are some identifiable benefits, but there may also be negatives to them. Incorrectly worn, (ie, without a helmet, or correctly attached helmet) the neck brace may CAUSE an injury, often the sort of injury they're designed to prevent. I cannot think of any other safety system that fails unsafe. Clive Forth is back once again, this time he's looking at how camber can affect you as a rider, with the basics covered in the last few issues it's time to get a little more advanced and learn how to control the wheels as they slide and how to maximise traction on any surface! Nonetheless, the companies operate with high levels of transparency and are quite open with their research and results. As a result I've adopted a philosophy of "better safe than sorry" and currently employ full protective gear outside of elbow guards and a neck brace. The number one online mountain bike magazine. Wearing a neck brace with a half lid is utterly useless. 9430 recorded accidents over nearly 10 years is a substantial sampling of real-world data pertaining to neck braces, and in every instance above neck braces are an exponential improvement in rider safety. This was the article that seemed to attempt to be the least biased and most scientific in its approach. Additionally, a medical provider run by a friend conducted an internal study that showed increased risks to ANYONE wearing a neck brace who had an immature skeleton. Stay up to date with the latest news & advice, Save your address for more accurate local bike shop results, Pre-register for upcoming Demo Day events.

*Data is collected for all patient contacts per DHS rule in any state a provider is licensed. Death is 69%+* more likely (due to Cervical Spine Injury) without a neck brace. I can't think like that. The same can be said for seatbelts and air bags many decades ago. There is significant anecdotal evidence of an increase in clavicle injury in users, over and above the normal injury rate (I accept it's a common injury).

There is no literature confirming they are effective in preventing injuries in motocross. It is a major failing. In fact after bicycle helmet laws are passed in many places there are no resulting decreases in head injuries per bicycle rider. They work. The problem with getting good evidence in an area of safety such as this is that it is pretty hard to do a high quality study, such as a randomized controlled trial. The sizing, fitment and adjustment are crucial to get right just like the sizing of a helmet. Love IMB? Or is it the thought of wearing any sort of collar, a conscious or subliminal avoidance of submissiveness, that deters us from fully embracing the neck brace? Most neck braces still allow enough range of motion in the head and neck in order to still feel unimpeded and able to ride effectively without being hampered. Regardless of make or manufacturer people seem to think they are bad. This perception may be based on old designs, personal experiences, social media commentary, and/or a total lack of knowledge when it comes to body mechanics. Of the 8529 recorded patients, 4726 of them were toggled as NO which indicates neck protection was not in place at the time of injury and when the record was created. As of now, the only certification that covers neck braces would be the European CE certification, which covers personal protective equipment, motorcycle back protectors against mechanical impacts, general requirements of protective clothing and ergonomics and tensile strength. The neck is a pretty vital part of our body and yet so vulnerable to injury. For example, Leatt publishes an openly downloadable document of their research and development, Leatt White Paper. If youre the rider thats always looking to go faster, jump higher or if you refer to riding as shredding, theres just about a 100% probability you will, in time, crash hard. Really appreciate the rational approach here. I know this isn't a popular thing to say but there isn't even solid evidence for bicycle helmet efficacy. Reduction in brain injury-associated dynamics through the correct interaction between deceleration and the time-related control of head impacts. that I'm missing? the majority of older riders don't wear them because neck braces weren't in the sport when they were in their most impressionable time of their riding years. Overall however, I'm sure they offer some protection you just have to wonder if the decreased mobility might be the cause of a certain number of accidents. Just as the original post points out. On average, a mountain bike neck brace weighs between 500g-600g (1.1lbs. I flipped and landed on my head at about 35kmh. I say better safe than paralyzed from the neck down, or dead. From our perspective, even if the numbers claimed by manufacturers are not completely accurate - say the 46% force reduction in a front-to-back-crash is more like 20% - it's still a significant reduction and well worth the price to buy one and effort to wear it. A confident rider is a better rider. Mass start snow racing specialist Kilian joins us for a chat about his riding career and why he loves this type of racing so much. They (may) protect from ONE sort of neck injury, hyperextension/hyperflexion. Think again as Ewen Turner heads into the wild armed only with a rucksack, penknife and an Enduro bike to see if you can still have fun on a backcountry adventure by bike. Undoubtedly, in time, as more research is conducted and data is compiled, a set of standards for kneck braces will be put forth. A Critical Cervical Spine injury is 89% more likely without a neck. Now, 600g. Riders from age 6 to age 50+ have shared some horrific fallacies about neck braces, much of this information is coming from other riders during what we call campfire talk. More frustrating are trainers with junior riders feeding this information to parents and young riders. Here is a list of some popular models and their cost. Jorge Lorenzo almost retired before Honda deal was announced. Onaverage,amountainbikeneckbracecostssomewherebetween $210 and $500 on Amazon. We've got a bunch of organic IMB merchandise to give away this issue. In fact, Dr. Chris Leatt founded his namesake company in 2001 after witnessing the death of a fellow moto rider due to a neck injury. 1.3lbs.). This is the issue with the neck brace debate. None were wearing neck braces, though one used to prior to his accident. Maybe it's the reputation they have for breaking collar bones? No increased likelihood of clavicle fractures, due to its design of a clavicle relief area and the soft padding covering the device. This required the neck brace to interact with the underside of the helmet and sit on the body in such a way as to be in the right place at the right time and only fail if the loading dynamics were of a magnitude that would cause damage to the body structures the neck brace was resting on, whilst still removing a component of the initial load. its very easy to break your neck and if that brace is my last defense in preventing it I'm taking it with me and putting the damn thing on. Amid a seemingly endless supply of bike videos, Jasper da Seymour is attempting to offer something different to the standard' shredit'. I didn't receive my registration confirmation email. After adjustment, if the brace is still too limiting, you may have to ditch it. Like visors in NHL hockey, it took a long time for the older guys to give in and start wearing them.

Most modern neck braces built today are actually quite comfortable. Josh worked retail in the bike industry for 12 years writing in his spare time just for fun. Dr Leatt is an active motorcyclist and raced competitively as well as providing medical coverage for events. Quite actually, neck braces are not recommended to be worn with any type of helmet other than a full-face. Looking at large populations over all can bias results also. When a neck brace is sized and fitted correctly, limitation in normal head movement while riding is not an issue. So, r/MTB, do you have any other sources of information (non-anecdotal only!) In addition, there is insufficient evidence regarding the referral of injuries to unprotected areas. Wearing a neck brace while riding mountain bikes is still getting mixed reviews despite the tiny voice in the back of our minds telling us it's the right thing to do. Some pros wear neck braces and some do not, some kids who eat-sleep-breathe MTB wear them and some do not. Both Leatt and Atlas are quick to claim the effectiveness of their products, but it's generally proven that internally produced data and anecdotal claims tend to be less accurate than conclusions produced by independent research. When properly fitted and adjusted to the individual rider, neck braces are not that much of a hindrance when riding. Do neck braces work with full-face helmets? 5. *It should be noted that the patient who experienced death with the neck brace had a full Cervical Spine Fusion from a previous injury, and received a blunt force (part of the motorcycle) directly to the back of the neck. Why is this? All data contained within, and related to this report is the sole property of Great Lakes EMS, Inc., and shall not be used by any entity, company, manufacturer, or organization as a means to market and/or contribute to the sales and/or profit of goods or services without written and legal consent of Great Lakes EMS, Inc. It does indeed a bit of a no-brainer really, both in lab testing and clinical data. If they didn't work people wouldn't wear them. Check to make sure it is properly adjusted. I have also looked for real evidence of efficacy of neck braces and came up with less than you did. Assessment in Ambulance release signed. Whats the purpose of protective gear, if it causes you to crash more? Over the course of the 10-year study, combining all critical and non-critical Cervical Spine injuries, 945 injuries were recorded without a neck brace (20% of 4726 people), and 136 with a neck brace (3.5% of 3803 people). We catch up with him and find out more about his views on the state of MTB film making and his unique approach. I've read various articles to attempt to buff up my knowledge on the matter and surprisingly, given their apparent popularity in Motocross and Mountain biking these days, there is very little independent third party analysis of the devices as a valid intervention to prevent injury.

Growth and learning do not come from staying inside our bubble. With the modern, lightweight materials available today, neck braces have gotten lighter with time. Yes it does, why wouldn't it work? My knowledge on the subject is that I had an awful stack during a DH race a year and a half ago, front wheel tucked into a gap whilst charging down a rock chute. But from all I've read, any protection offered is actually minimal in practice, and there is actually significant risk while wearing one without a helmet (IE: walking around the trail base without a helmet on) as the neck brace can then act as a fulcrum in a fall. The article further concluded that injury prevention and research into better helmet and protective gear was essential in the future. This is something the manufacturers of these devices have known for several years, and we hope the extensiveness of this report (and other reports like it) will finally show people real-world data. It should be noted that just like your bike, helmet, boots, etc, any equipment worn must be properly fitted according to manufacturers instructions in order to provide maximum benefit and wearability. There is a white paper available from Leatt and various videos and documents from other manufacturers, but I've specifically excluded them because of the clear opportunity for bias in those articles. It doesn't hurt to wear one. Follow him on Instagram @rebel_letters. Spinal Column and Spinal Cord Injuries in Mountain Bikers: A 13-Year Review, Save money by spending more - Buy the bike you want regardless of price, Compare 3 of the best neck braces from Leatt, Compare 3 of the best neck braces from Atlas. With just a small handful of manufacturers out there, a huge selection to choose from is just not available yet. Great Lakes EMS is an ambulance service catering to the amateur motorsports world, specifically motocross and racing in the Midwestern USA. The numbers dont lie, and we highly recommend everyone consider wearing any protection item that can help contribute to their safety. Though having a lower profile, many riders complain of them being too restrictive, hot and confining when compared to a Leatt neck brace. RELATED: Save money by spending more - Buy the bike you want regardless of price. One was a life altering event. Now, if this rider is not you; meaning you like to take the smooth line, keep a mellow, easy-going pace or the tires rarely leave the ground, then maybe a neck brace might be just a bit overkill for your individual needs. Equipment used data capture parameters in patient care worksheet : Helmet, Goggles, Boots, Knee Braces, Neck Brace, Chest Protector, Gloves, Body Armor, Bike, ATV, Motocross, Flat Track, Hill Climb, Woods. [Dirt Rider Article "The Neck Brace Web Component" from 2013.] The debate about the effectiveness of neck braces may take some time to resolve, but one thing to consider is that there is no argument saying neck braces cause medical harm - including no substantiation to increased "collarbone threat." Over the course of the 10-year study, there were 4 recorded cases of death caused by Critical Cervical Spine injuries without a neck brace, and just 1 with a neck brace. Right now, multiple companies have braces on the market, mostly for motorsports, but there are two main companies making neck braces for mountain biking: Leatt and Atlas Brace Technologies Inc.. Most of all though, I don't want to be thinking "I'm wearing this because at any moment I may suffer a life changing or ending spinal injury whilst taking part in a lesiure activity". Great lakes EMS, Inc highly encourages you to speak with a medical professional, and/or representative/sales agent for specific brands/manufacturers in your area should you have any questions or concerns regarding products you intend to use, as well as your health, safety, or otherwise. Find out why we need your support as Rou explains the changes going on at the magazine. I have however had three friends who have suffered cervical spinal injuries whilst competing. Yes,especiallyifyouplantodoanyjumping,largedrop-ins, rail hard into berms or just plain push the limits of your capabilities every time you ride. Since the injury falls into our report criteria the accident is included in this report, but the circumstances are worth mentioning. (http://www.motoverte.com/site/les-colliers-cervicaux-inutiles--57437.html) Conclusion = Inconclusive. On the way, they take in some of the most exceptional riding in the area and eventually get to the top. Should you use one? [A marketing piece by BTO sports with input from Dr. Chris Leatt (founder of Leatt).] The most popular movies from the IMB website over the last two months! The jaw part of the helmet hit my neck brace so hard it snapped. Should I Run My Brake Levers Moto Style? I am inclined to take it with a large grain of salt. When should I not wear a neck brace? to some of the weight weenies out, there is a ton.