HealthDay reports that bicycling contributed to a majority of sports-related spinal injuries among U.S. adults according to a new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.

Researchers found that of more than 12,000 sports-related spinal injuries among U.S. adults, a full 81% were due to bicycling mishaps.

HSS spine surgeon Alexander P. Hughes, MD, who was not involved in the study, provided comments on the findings. He called attention to the volume of people who bike ride, stating “This is reflecting the sheer number of people who take part in these activities.”

He explained that different types of cycling or the riding environment can present risks, such as collisions with motor vehicles in cities, and for cyclists who ride long distances, reaching high speeds, are at risk of high-velocity crashes, whether another person is involved or not.

He also highlighted several unknowns from the study, including it’s not clear what circumstances led to cyclists' injuries and if injured cyclists were wearing a helmet.

Dr. Hughes noted that while helmets can lessen the risk of a traumatic brain injury, they are not a shield against spine trauma. “Wearing a helmet doesn't make you invincible.” 

Read the full article at Consumer.healthday.com.