|
Year |
2002 |
|---|---|
|
Question Number |
109 |
|
Category |
Pediatric Orthopaedics |
Question
Playground injuries in children can best be minimized by installing which of the following ground surfaces?
1. Sand
2. Bark
3. Rubber
4. Asphalt
5. Concrete
Figures
Answer (click for answer)
Preferred Answer: 3
Children sustained significantly more injuries in playgrounds with concrete surfaces than in those with bark or rubberised surfaces. Playgrounds with rubber surfaces had the lowest rate of injury, with a risk half that of bark and a fifth of that of concrete. Bark surfaces were not significantly more protective against arm fractures than concrete. Most injuries were equipment related. Injury risk due to falls from monkey bars (suspended parallel bars or rings between which children swing) was twice that for climbing-frames and seven times that for swings or slides.
Reference: Mott A, Rolfe K et al: Safety of surfaces and equipment for children in playgrounds. Lancet. 349(9069):1874-6, 1997 Jun 28.