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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 27, 1978)
THE BATTALION THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1978 Page 7 Whizzing speed, a hazard Skateboard injuries up United Press International SAN ANTONIO — The human body was not constructed to endure high speed crashes which can and do happen when a person decides to t g whiz up to 60 miles an hour on a tiny ■ skateboard, according to a local ■ specialist in sports medicine. The sport is enjoyed by those who like pavement whizzing by inches from their bones, and skateboarding generates a sensation of freedom and excitement. But an increasing number of cerebral concussions, fractures, soft tissue bruises and in juries to internal organs are being reported at hospital emergency rooms around the nation. Dr. Kaye Wilkins, a clinical as sociate professor of orthopedics at the University of Texas Health Sci ence Center, says the medical community is becoming more con cerned about skateboarding as it be comes more popular with the younger set. Wilkins and Dr. Mel Thornton compiled statistics on injuries suf fered in unorganized sports for presentation recently to the Ameri can Academy of Pediatrics and is helping the Academy prepare a pol icy statement on skateboarding which woidd lay down some guidelines for the sport. “We re trying to educate the pub lic and the physicians,” Wilkins said. Types of orthopedic and neuro logical injuries that were seldom seen in emergency rooms in years past now are nearly everyday occur rences, he said. Since J973, there have been more than 35,000 emergency cases resulting from skateboard accidents nationally, an increase of five- or six-fold over re cent years. A majority of the patients were between the ages of 11 and 20 with injuries involving the lower arm. Wilkins said most of the injuries were not disabling, but many may lead to long term limitation in other sports activities as well as high med- lay, Colical expenses. :y.” E If children are going to use it eniAkateboards, they must wear safety easinjfigear such as gloves, knee and elbow re are pads and lightweight helmets, Wilkins said. “Choosing a good quality skateboard and learning the hazards involved with the sport are important too. “With children new exposure to this sport, wrist, knee, and arm in juries are happening more fre quently." New designs and modification of e skateboards have increased their popularity, making them faster arid more maneuverable with speeds up to 60 mph, he said. But hard surfaces, lack of braking mechanisms, and the absence of safety guards increase the severity of accidents. Although it looks easy, Thornton said, youngsters often take unneces sary risks when performing stunts and adults may attempt to ride skateboards designed for small chil- : year, build stuck ne pn us, an s willl dy nei it is won’t muse ssroon nmodai ipprop g on structi) ch hot e stora itralkx! it houit >n in constn t camp ipriatw J no vatic ies wei Mitch 25-metf ; courts, y has at or a gw listratic mitory id: “lo om Tci ■xas At icet all ition of Tfl vn licit rimarit forms rfere «i said D isidenl yper i j ini ii, ms rt not ill' en hyll in igieal f its of tionpei taken y infon [Jalvest leaved rn An? illbeNi ill tA ool. * rd fir eS Fort AGGIE PLAQUES $12.95 Unfinished $2.00 AGGIE BOOK ENDS $17.50 pr. Unfinished $3.00 pr. GIFT-A-RAMA Red dren. 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