Citation

Luppino FS, den Hollander-Gijsman ME, Dekker FW, Bartlema KA, van Diepen M. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/sms.14245

PMID

36229351

Abstract

Skiing and snowboarding are both popular recreational alpine sports, with substantial injury risk of variable severity. Although skills level has repeatedly been associated with injury risk, a validated measure to accurately estimate the actual skills level without objective assessment is missing. This study aimed to develop a practical validated instrument, to better estimate the actual skills level of recreational skiers, based on the criteria of the Dutch Skiing Federation (DSF), and covering five different skill domains. A sample of Dutch recreational skiers (n=84) was asked to fill in a questionnaire reflecting seven, a priori chosen predictors by expert opinion, to ski downhill and to be objectively evaluated by expert assessors. The instrument was developed to have a multidimensional character, and was validated according to the TRIPOD guideline (Transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis). The sample reported an overall incorrect self-reported estimation of their skills, compared to the observed skill score. The instrument showed good calibration, and underwent multiple validation methods. The estimated skills score showed to be closer to the observed scores, than self-reportage. Our study provides a practical, multidimensional and validated instrument to estimate the actual skills level. It proved to better reflect the actual skills levels compared to self-reportage among recreational skiers.

Language: en

Keywords

validation; prediction model; recreational skiers; skiing; Skills level assessment