Snowboarding safety

SUGAR MOUNTAIN, North Carolina (CNNSB) -- On the snowy winter hills of this ski resort town, young people on snowboards brought evidence that snowboarding had jumped to new heights as a mega-sport.

The North Carolina Ski Resort season ended in March, but many of those same snowboarding fans put skis in hand and headed out for spring skiing locations, such as the Wastch Mountain Range of Utah, Summit County, Colorado and Lake Tahoe, California.

What is it about snowboarding that appeals to so many? Call it the adrenaline rush.

Many people describe the sensation of riding down a snow-packed mountain on a single board as "pure enjoyment."

"It's a euphoric rush, and probably the most amazing time one can have while working out," said Sallie Kaltreiber, 22.

VIDEO CNN Student Bureau reporter Tom Namey investigates ways to protect yourself while snow boarding Play video CNN Student News' Michael McManus talks with the man who helped shaped the sport of snow boarding Play video

Evidence of snowboarding's popularity can be seen in the changes in the demographics of people who enjoy it, as well as in the equipment they are using. Families of four toting the latest in snowboard gear now outnumber the young adult males who dominated the sport 15 years ago. The equipment, which used to be homemade, can now run into the thousand-dollar range, and lift tickets can cost as much as $70 per day.

The physical benefits of winter sports may also attract a few snowboarders. According to Dr. Thomas C. Namey, snowboarding works all of the stabilizer muscles surrounding major joints, as well as those of the legs, torso and arms. Subsequently, the constant muscle strain from balancing makes the sport a good cardiovascular workout.

However, there are many inherent risks in this rapidly growing activity.

Snowboarders are much more susceptible to injuries involving the wrist and arms than they are to leg injuries, said Dr. Namey.

Plus, the amount of ultraviolet radiation a snowboarder receives is higher than what one could get at beaches, due in part to the thin atmosphere encountered at high altitudes, as well as the highly reflective snow. The white snow can reflect nearly all of the sun's rays off the surface and back onto riders and skiers.

Sunglasses, goggles and sunscreen are vital to skin health, experts said. And, as in most sports, a helmet is the only way to prevent serious head injuries, the leading cause of snowboarding deaths. One encouraging statistic shows that helmet sales for snowboarders have doubled in the past year.

Thomas Namey is a senior at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is double majoring in Biology and Visual Communications/Digital Media. He is an expert mountain biker and an avid snowboarder.