SUNDAY, July 18, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- There are many extreme -- or X-treme, depending on your cool factor -- sports you can do to add some sizzle to your summer.
Two of the most popular are skateboarding and inline skating.
The challenge and thrill appeal to many people. However, injury is a real risk and proper safety precautions are a must.
More than 15,600 Americans require emergency room treatment each year for skateboarding injuries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says. And about 11,000 in-line skaters suffer head or face injuries each year.
So the need for proper safety gear becomes clear. And in both these sports, helmets can significantly reduce head and brain injuries.
When choosing a helmet, select one with proper fit and a good chin strap. If it's too loose, the helmet can slide around on your head and fail to provide adequate protection when you fall. Your helmet shouldn't impair your vision or hearing, the National Safety Council (NSC) says.
Other recommended gear for skateboarding includes closed, slip-resistant shoes, wrist braces, skateboarding gloves, and padding for hips, knees and elbows. There are also padded jackets and shorts for boarders, the NSC says.
Make sure you have the right kind of skateboard for your kind of riding, whether it's speed, freestyle or slalom.
Inline skating also requires specific kinds of safety equipment. Besides a helmet, it includes knee pads, light gloves, and wrist guards, according to the NSC.
When buying inline skates, pick a pair that matches your favorite passion. For example, if you're a competitive racer, you need to have special racing skates.
More information
The National Institutes of Health offers these sports safety tips.
