There is absolutely nothing like plugging in your headphones, listening to your favorite playlist, and zoning into whatever you are doing. We do this to power through the workday or to get some peace on the early morning commute. Our headphones and our favorite jams get us through those last few miles on the treadmill or sets in the weight room.
Besides our eardrums, what is this music blaring harming?
According to a recent study discussed in Reuters Health, snowboarders using headphones and personal music devices while sliding down the slopes actually have less injuries, contrary to popular belief. While they receive fewer injuries, the injuries they do wind up with are quite serious.
The results of the study conducted at an Alberta, Canada snowboard resort showed that 21 percent of the injured snowboarders were listening to music, and 34 percent of the non-injured snowboarders weren’t. However, the music listening injured snowboarders were actually two times as likely to go to the emergency room because of their snowboard accident. We can imply that if they went to the emergency room, their ski injuries were quite serious.
These music blaring snowboarders were also more likely to have had previous injuries before the accidents reported in the studies. Snowboarding and headphones isn’t the only combination that doesn’t produce the best results. According to an article on Vox.com, a great deal of injury producing bicycle accidents occurred while the rider had headphones in.
While only three states ban headphone use while riding bicycles, and there aren’t many rules surrounding snowboarding while having them in, injuries can happen and will happen. If you are in a dangerous situation where you need all your senses, especially your hearing, be sure to remain alert and not get too into your playlist and neglect your personal safety.
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