Study finds hockey helmets provide the best protection for sledding

Thinking about hitting your local sledding hotspot to make the most of the snowy winter weather? If so, a new study suggests gearing up with a hockey helmet for protection first.

Researchers from the University of Ottawa and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario studied which type of helmet offers youngsters the best protection for winter activities. They tested bicycle, ice hockey and downhill skiing helmets for the study, which is published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics.

According to the Vancouver Sun, the scientists simulated the typical impact that might occur while sledding using the different types of head protection. 

They found that hockey helmets provided the most protection for youngsters sledding or tobogganing. In addition, bicycle helmets were found to be effective at higher speeds.

While these helmets will help protect children's heads, experts say the fact that they also offer face protection makes them especially good for sledding.

"When I see the children at the hospital, the majority of them have injuries to the face," neurosurgeon and study leader Dr. Michael Vassilyadi told the Vancouver Times. "A lot of times they have torn lips, they have broken teeth, they have a broken nose, they have an eye-globe injury. That's because they fell forward, tobogganing into an object."

Experts say that while the study shows that hockey helmets offer the best protection for this popular winter activity, wearing any type of helmet is better than going without one altogether.

Individuals looking for hockey helmets for sledding should consider shopping at a store that specializes in selling used hockey equipment to save money without compromising quality.