Ski helmets may increase the risk of neck injury, especially for children, according to the analysis of accident reports on ski hills in Quebec.

The study, by Brent Hagel and four colleagues from Edmonton and Montreal, was published on Friday in the British Medical Journal.

Hagel is an assistant professor at the University of Alberta's Centre for Injury Control and Research.

(CP file photo)

"Although we found no statistically significant estimates for neck injury and no evidence of effect modification by age, our sensitivity analysis suggests an increased risk of neck injuries with helmet use," said the researchers.

Helmets can exert large bending or twisting forces on the neck when a skier falls, the study found. This is a particular concern for children because their heads are larger than those of adults in relation to the rest of their bodies.

The study analyzed data from more than 4,300 accidents at 19 major ski areas in Quebec during the winter of 2001-02.

The study also found skiers and snowboarders can reduce the risk of head injury in an accident by almost a third by wearing a helmet. "Wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding may reduce the risk of head injury by 29 per cent to 56 per cent," Hagel's team reported. "That is, for every 10 people who wear helmets, three to six may avoid head injuries.

"This may even be an underestimate if, as in cycling, the helmets were worn incorrectly or were in poor condition, or were not designed for skiing or snowboarding."

Other researchers have argued that all skiers 17 or younger should be required to wear helmets because of the risk of severe head injuries.

Helmets have been proved effective at reducing head, brain and facial injuries in bicycle accidents.

Little research had been done before on the use of ski helmets.