PLN
Author of the photos: Angelika Grabowska Photoequine
In the photo: Adam Grzegorzewski wearing the KEP Italia helmet.
Investing in a high-quality helmet with the highest possible safety certification seems obvious. However, we often assume that since falls are becoming less frequent, it's unnecessary and opt for cheaper models, or worse, used ones. Inadequate head protection can have disastrous consequences. We risk not only losing our health or life due to direct injury, but also the long-term negative effects of impact and violent shock, affecting not only the head but also the neck and other segments of our spine.
The head - an anatomical perspective, or what we can damage...
Everyone knows that the most important organ, governing all our thought processes, is the brain. The brain is protected by the bones of the cranium, of which each of us has as many as eight! Equally important are the bones that make up the facial skeleton. They determine not only the appearance of our face but also protect the organs responsible for vision, breathing, and food intake. The entire adult skull is composed of 22 bones, which, while hard, can fracture or break under significant forces, such as during a fall or impact. These bones then cease to protect the neural structures, and the brain is at risk of irreversible damage.
When we talk about the brain, we most often think of the cerebrum, which includes the cerebral cortex, responsible for cognition and thought processes. However, we often forget that the most serious injuries are associated with blows to the back of the head, which can damage the brainstem or cerebellum. Cerebellar injury can lead to impaired motor coordination, balance, and speech, while damage to the brainstem can lead to circulatory and respiratory failure and even death. Injuries to these structures often exclude us from competitive sports for life, and can even prevent us from performing the simplest daily activities, such as eating or moving.
KEP Italia Smart Polish Riding Helmet
Head Injuries in Equestrian Sports - A Quick Review of Research and Statistics
One of the head injuries we first think of when thinking about impact is concussion. Recent studies show that statistically, the most common concussions occur during falls while riding, followed by those while driving, and finally those while leading a horse. It's worth noting that despite the high health awareness of the equestrian community, only 85% of the subjects were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident [Glace et al. 2023]. Researchers led by Meyer et al. 2022 also share an important conclusion. Their study of show jumpers shows that in the case of head injuries, those who experienced them despite wearing helmets had significantly shorter recovery times compared to those who weren't wearing them at the time of the injury. This suggests that helmets reduce the extent of intracranial injuries!
The authors noted interesting observations regarding facial injuries in one of the available statistics. The team analyzed 20 cases of facial injuries, in which only 8 occurred as a result of a fall or a fall and kick, while as many as 12 occurred during routine activities performed around the horse, such as leading after a kick or bite [Boiron et al. 2024]. Therefore, it can be concluded that a helmet is useful not only during riding but also provides health protection when handling the horse. A visor is an important element in facial protection, although most of us ignore it or consider it unnecessary.
The effects of head injuries from a physiotherapist's perspective
We rarely consider the long-term effects of head injuries, which often require lengthy rehabilitation. Even when a direct skull fracture doesn't occur, we can still struggle with effects related to irritation of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. Headaches, migraines, impaired consciousness, balance, and memory, cervical spine pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities are just a few of the problems experienced by people who have suffered a concussion or other head or neck injuries.
Impacts can also cause whiplash injuries, similar to those that occur in motor vehicle accidents. These injuries can cause a range of symptoms related to the cervical spine, including neck muscle strains, dislocations, and vertebral fractures.
KEP Italia Cromo 2.0 Leather Cocco riding helmet
Which helmet should you choose?
Above all, the helmet should have the highest possible certification. Its shell should be able to distribute the forces acting during an impact across the entire helmet area, preventing them from accumulating in one spot. Furthermore, the helmet should provide high comfort during use, even at high temperatures, when the risk of overheating and heatstroke is high.
Below are the most important features we should pay attention to when choosing the right helmet:
▪ Safety certificate
▪ Shaped to protect the lower back of the head (base of the skull)
▪ A solid visor that will protect the facial bones
▪ Soft lining that also absorbs some of the vibrations caused by a fall
▪ Solid fastening that prevents the helmet from falling off your head even in the event of a strong impact
▪ Ventilation that will improve our driving comfort and prevent overheating, especially in hot weather
KEP Italia helmets seem to be a worthwhile option that meets all of the above requirements. They are ideal for all equestrian disciplines, providing not only the highest level of safety but also guaranteeing comfort. KEP Italia helmet shells undergo numerous tests that verify their resistance not only to deformation and falls, but also to collisions with sharp objects, which is particularly important for off-road riding, cross-country skiing, or show jumping. It's worth noting that the material from which they are made is durable and extremely lightweight, preventing strain on the neck and shoulders. Furthermore, KEP helmets are among the few that provide protection at the base of the skull, thanks to their "elongated" shape at the back. They also meet the requirements of the following standards: VG1 01.040 2014-12, ASTM F1163:2015, ISO 9001:2015, EN 1384:2012, making them one of the safest in the world.
Summary
Choosing a good helmet won't always completely prevent injuries we're exposed to during falls, but we definitely give ourselves a chance to reduce their negative effects, such as skull fractures and concussions. It's important to remember that a fall can damage the helmet's structure, even if it appears intact at first glance. Therefore, the helmet may not provide sufficient head protection in a subsequent fall. Manufacturers therefore recommend replacing the helmet, or if possible, the shell itself, after an impact. Remember that head injuries are among the most serious and can lead to permanent damage and costly rehabilitation. Therefore, we should strive to choose the highest quality helmets that meet the highest global safety standards.
Author of the article:
Julia Walalatek
Physiotherapist
Instructor of the Polish Equestrian Association
A competitor in the disciplines of dressage and show jumping.
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