Skydiving and the risk of cervical disc herniation

• Published in: International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 243 - 249
• Main Authors: Coşkun Beyan, Ayşe, Demiral, Yücel, Dilek, Banu, Alici, Nur Şafak, Bediz, Cem, Çimrin, Arif
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Acceleration; Accidents; Athletic Injuries; Aviation; Deceleration; Deceleration - adverse effects; disc hernia; ergonomics; Gravity; Head Protective Devices - utilization; Health aspects; Health risks; Humans; Injuries; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - diagnostic imaging; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - etiology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnostic imaging; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - etiology; Intervertebral discs; Intervertebral disk displacement; Jumpers; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal diseases; Musculoskeletal system; Neck; Neck injuries; Neck pain; Neck Pain - etiology; Occupational diseases; Occupational Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational health; opening shock; Pain; Parachutes; Parachuting; Personal protective equipment; Population; Protective equipment; Risk factors; Sick leave; Skydiving; Spinal cord; Tinnitus; work-related disorders; work-related disorders; skydiving; parachuting; opening shock; ergonomics; disc hernia
• ISSN: 1232-1087; 1896-494X
• DOI: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01032

The skydiving/parachuting sport which has recently gained popularity is also known for its accidents and injuries. However, there are a few studies related to its occupational ergonomic risks and occupational musculoskeletal diseases. It has been reported that the sudden hyperextension of the neck during the parachute opening, so called opening shock results in neck pain. It has been found that the jumpers are subjected to an average deceleration of 3-5 times the earth's gravitational acceleration (3-5 G) during parachute opening shock. It is considered that the spinal cord is destabilized by the impact of this force. This study presents the occupational cervical disc herniation occurring in the case of a subject who has been working as a skydiving/parachuting instructor for 25 years, and the ergonomic risks specific to the sports of skydiving. There is a requirement for systematic and representative studies related to the administrative measures to be taken in order to prevent the occupational diseases that may occur in the case of skydivers, the personal protective equipment to be used, and the employee. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):243-249.